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Sainz labels Virtual Safety Car as 'useless'

Carlos Sainz believes that VSC only advantages the race leader and hampers those racing further down the field, labeling the feature as 'useless'.

The VSC was deployed three times last weekend at Sepang, and while many consider the system as being more fair as it a approximately preserves a gap between two drivers, Sainz says that is precisely why in his view the system contributes nothing to a race, especially for midfield runners.

"In my opinion, they [VSC periods] are a bit useless, I don’t like it, it is not something that I enjoy," Sainz said after the Malaysian Grand Prix.

"Because when you are a midfielder, you prefer safety cars all the time, proper safety cars to regroup the field.

"It works as it should, but obviously people play a lot with it to warm their tyres, to create their own gaps before the pitstops.

"You can play a lot with it to your advantage or disadvantage of the others, so I don’t really enjoy it. I don’t think that it is something that is contributing in F1, that’s my personal opinion."

The Toro Rosso driver underlined the advantage the VSC brings to a race leader.

"If I am a race leader, I probably like it, if I am a midfielder, I probably don’t like it.

"I have been in many racing series where you have a 10-second lead, suddenly a safety car comes out and you have to battle again.

"But looking [at it], maybe it’s a bit more fair, but I don’t think it’s what Formula 1 needs, especially for a midfielder."

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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.