Sainz: I am battling every race with two world champions

Although he spends most Sunday afternoons toiling hard in the sharp end of the Formula 1 midfield, Carlos Sainz has nevertheless emerged as a one of the standout drivers of the year, even though he does battle with some of the sport's most seasoned and respected drivers

It is no secret that Sainz is a big fan of fellow countryman Fernando Alonso, and fate has it that the Spanish duo have had their fair share of on track battles during the first half of this season.

Sainz told F1i of his contests with double world champion Alonso, "We are always together on track and I think the performance of his car now and the performance of my car at the moment is the closest it has been."

"I would say now they are even a step ahead of us, especially in terms of power, so it’s a tricky balance," explained the Toro Rosso driver.

"At the end of the day people tend to forget that even if it’s in the midfield I am battling every race with two world champions and with podium finishers like Perez, Grosjean, Bottas, Massa - a race winner - and that’s my battle."

“People tend to forget that the midfield is actually still very talented and I’m able to still win a lot of battles in the midfield."

"That’s why I’m proud and that’s why I feel that this year has been good, because there has been many world champion battles out there in the midfield and we’ve come along pretty well," concluded Sainz who lies 11th in the championship standings with 30 points.