Is the standard of Formula 1 driving poor? Here’s what Carlos Sainz has to say about Fernando Alonso’s assessment

Some fans and Grand Prix reporters wondered whether it was frustration that was driving Fernando Alonso’s comments after he had an unwelcome collision with Alex Albon’s Williams during the opening stages of the race in Austin, which had cost him a great deal of downforce and a potential points-scoring finish. However, the two-time world champion reiterated his harsh assessment of the standard of driving at the back of the Formula 1 field in the paddock at Mexico.

Carlos Sainz was also asked how well or poorly the drivers at the back of the field were performing. And the former Ferrari driver, who has proven his talent on numerous occasions but is currently languishing at the back of the field due to his underperforming Williams car, gave a detailed answer.

“I have enormous respect for Alex. He’s one of those drivers I absolutely love competing against and with whom I’ve never had a problem when it comes to respect. I also enjoy battling against Fernando,” explained the Spaniard. “And until this year, I’d never found myself at the back of the field. Whether at Toro Rosso, Renault or McLaren, I’ve always been fighting for points and top-10 finishes. Now, for the first time, I’m racing at the back of the midfield, and that’s obviously not a pleasant situation.”

Tougher conditions at the back of the Formula 1 field

“It’s less a question of driving ability and more about the fact that you’re up against drivers who have nothing to lose. If the best result you can achieve is twentieth place, it creates a dynamic you’ll never find at the front of the field, because the stakes are far higher there,” the 32-year-old is certain.

“In my opinion, none of us deserves to be trailing behind. We all have the talent needed to fight for podium places, top-five finishes and even victories. I’m thinking of Fernando, Alex and myself, but also of drivers like Checo Pérez or Valtteri Bottas, who we’ve already seen battling at the front without making the mistakes and having the accidents that are typical of the back of the grid. At the back of the field, the airflow is much more turbulent, and you find yourself more quickly in a situation where several cars are entering a corner at the same time. The likelihood of accidents is simply much greater there. None of us wants to be back there, and nobody enjoys it. The frustration is correspondingly high,” Sainz continues.

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“And as for Fernando’s comments: I’ve been in Formula 1 for 12 years, and I’ve never seen such a high standard across the field as this year. I can’t think of a single driver who isn’t up to Formula 1 standard; even the rookies from recent years are excellent. We all make mistakes – I wasn’t infallible in my younger days either, and even now I still make them, as we’ve seen this year. But I think the higher number of incidents at the back of the field is more down to the situation. Perhaps Fernando is also speaking out of frustration because he thinks he doesn’t deserve to be lapping at the back there. I can only speak for myself,” adds the four-time Grand Prix winner.