Sainz calls Piastri move into Turn 1 at Spa 'a bit optimistic'

©McLaren

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Carlos Sainz says his clash with Oscar Piastri at Spa's Turn 1 at the start of the Belgian Grand Prix was due to the McLaren driver "trying to do a bit of an optimistic move".

Sainz made a clean getaway from fourth on the grid and was trailing Lewis Hamilton as they approached La Source.

The Ferrari driver locked up but managed to slot himself into the inside of the Mercedes only to tangle with Piastri's McLaren as he steered towards the apex.

Sandwiched between the Ferrari and the inside wall with nowhere to go, Piastri made contact with both, inflicting a puncture and damage on his car that would lead to his retirement on the other side of the track at Turn 13.

2023 Belgian Grand Prix - Race results

Sainz managed to survive 23 laps in total before the Scuderia opted to retire the n° 55 Ferrari. The Spaniard considered Piastri's move as "optimistic" and one that has rarely paid off in the past at Spa.

"He attacked with Lewis and I pretty much had the move done into Turn 1," recounted Sainz.

"Hit the apex cleanly and everything but unfortunately I think Oscar was trying to do a bit of an optimistic move on me.

"Yeah, a bit of a shame because when you review the past races here in Spa and you know what has been the typical Turn 1 incidents, it’s exactly that.

"Everyone who tries the inside line into Turn 1 and tries to really make around there normally generates an incident or a crash and this time it was my turn to receive."

Sainz felt that his McLaren rival is the one who should have backed out of the move.

"At some point someone needs to back out and he’s the guy who is alongside my rear-right that I think needs to back off and move, not me, and let him pass me into Turn 1, especially when I’m pretty much having my move done with Lewis."

Asked why Ferrari did not retire Sainz's damaged car until lap 23, Scuderia boss Fred Vasseur says the team took a gamble on rain eventually setting in over Spa, which it did but only very briefly.

"We were just expecting a red flag at one stage to be able to fix it [the car's damaged floor]," he said.

"But with the first [rain] shower… when the shower came without the red flag, we decided to stop it.”

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.