Sainz explains major gulf to ‘master of Baku’ Leclerc

Carlos Sainz has stated he is not disappointed after being beaten by Charles Leclerc during qualifying in Azerbaijan, describing his team-mate as “the master of Baku”.

Leclerc took his fourth consecutive pole position around the Baku City Circuit, beating Oscar Piastri by three-tenths of a second.

Sainz is set to line up behind the duo in third place with his best effort well over four-tenths down on Leclerc’s pole-setting lap time.

The Spaniard asserted he is pleased with his spot on the grid, having historically struggled around the Azerbaijan track.

“I never tend to aim too high in Baku, because I know it’s a track where I have normally struggled in the past,” Sainz told media including RacingNews365.

“So to be lining up, it was a good position. My race pace seems strong, we’re in a strong position to fight for better things.”

Sainz ponders street track anomaly

Sainz has conceded he is in the dark regarding why he struggles around Baku while holding greater confidence at other street circuits.

“I don’t know, because I’ve always been quick in city tracks – Monaco and Singapore are tracks that I’m always very quick at,” he said.

“Maybe there’s something with low downforce. I don’t know if it’s the Tarmac, it’s a very peaky, very slippery Tarmac with the rears moving around a lot, maybe that makes Charles a bit more comfortable.

“I think it’s a combination of me never being quick here, and him being the master of Baku.

“And then the gap, it gets a bit [too] big around around here for my liking.”