Carlos Sainz says there are not many positives for Toro Rosso to take from a frustrating European Grand Prix, especially after Force India managed to secure a healthy points haul in the mean time.
The Faenza-based outfit registered a double retirement in Baku, with both Sainz and team-mate Daniil Kvyat suffering suspected rear suspension issues.
The Spaniard, which had to serve a five-grid penalty for taking a new gearbox, also had to save engine power after struggling with temperatures as early as Lap 2.
Toro Rosso’s misery was further compounded by Force India, with whom it is fighting over fifth place in the Constructors’ standings, netting 17 points last weekend courtesy of Sergio Perez' podium finish.
“There are not many positives honestly because Force India has scored a lot of points”, said Sainz of his racing weekend in Baku. “We fall back quite a lot in the championship. It’s started to become quite tricky.
“We had problems in the car in the two moments that count, that is qualifying and the race. So we can not be really positive.
“We were coming from three really good race... We had a very difficult first four races with a lot of problems, then we had a good run and now this weekend that was full of very small issues that in the end get snowballed and we had to retire.”
With Toro Rosso racing year-old Ferrari power units that can not be upgraded this year, Sainz is all too aware that the Red Bull junior team had to maximise every opportunities in the early stages of the season.
But the 21-year-old, who is only in his second F1 campaign, is confident he and the team can find ways to make up for their lack of engine development.
“It’s not like we’ve fallen back massively over the first part of the year. We’re falling back, but not by a lot. It’s likely that the others will have chassis and engine improvements and we will only have chassis [updates]. It’d be normal for us if the season becomes a bit more difficult as it unfolds.
“But I’m also becoming a better driver as the season goes on. It’s only my first year and a half in F1 and hopefully I’ll be able to bring what the car misses. Also the team will carry on learning about strategies and tyres so we can be stronger in other areas.”
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