Sainz Was ‘Laughing’ At Mercedes Drivers’ Tactics At Suzuka

Posted on September 28, 2023 | by Charley Williams Carlos Sainz learnt exactly why you should never reveal your next move, as his highly praised DRS trick from the Singapore GP was used against him in Japan. The audacity, honestly. ???? In the closing laps of last weekend’s race at Marina Bay, Carlos slowed down to give Lando Norris DRS, hoping it would keep George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, who were on fresher tyres and chasing down a win, firmly behind him. A risky game to play, but it worked! Though it’s caught the eye of other teams, as in Japan, roles were reversed when Lewis and George attempted to use Carlos’ own trick on him. You just can’t trust anyone with your secrets nowadays, huh? On older tyres, George was asked to let Lewis through. He agreed, but he wanted his teammate to back up and give him DRS to help him defend from Sainz. The trick was attempted, and it worked… for a short while. Carlos was heard on the radio telling the team: “They are using my tricks against me!” but shortly after, he got past Russell. Sainz told the media, including The Race, that he found the whole situation quite amusing: “I was laughing in the car because I could see Lewis backing off in 130R to give the DRS to George, and I was like I need to make sure I attack George into the chicane, if not I don’t throw him off line, it will be impossible to pass him. “I went very deep into the chicane, managed to get a bit of a switchback and used the DRS slipstream and everything to pass him. “Was good fun, nearly cost my own position with my own tricks!” ???? Do you think more drivers will attempt to use the DRS ‘trick’ now it’s been exposed?