Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz was ecstatic after he finished fourth in the Singapore Grand Prix, only days after it was announced that he would be driving for Renault in 2018, and considers the race at Marina Bay Circuit to be the best and most important of his career,.
Speaking to reporters after an incident packed race, “The best one, no doubt. Apart from the start and with all the complications this race had, I had very good pace in the wet, very good pace on the used inter against the new inter and then managing to fend off guys. So I would say it’s one of the best stints I’ve done in Formula 1.”
The fact that the result came only days after the Renault announcement made it extra sweet for the Spaniard, “It was a very important day. One of the most important of my sporting career and I can be very, very happy.”
“It was a result we really earned, doing the right thing every time. There were complicated moments, especially when I had people with new inters behind me and mine were used.
“Then when everybody was on ultras I was on the super-softs and I had to defend very hard from people who were a second quicker than us because of the tyres. Then things started to happen, we passed some people and we finished fourth, which is incredible, unthinkable.”
Sainz was also quick to give credit to the Toro Rosso team for their role on the night, “They showed a big amount of support, telling me they were extremely happy for me for my future and altogether we were super motivated and put together a perfect weekend. I am very proud of them and very grateful to them because they’ve been a great source of support.”
Sainz lies ninth in the drivers’ F1 world championship standings, having scored 48 of Toro Rosso’s total of 52 points.