Sainz “relieved” to fight for Bahrain GP pole after feeling “very far behind” Leclerc

Sainz revealed after Friday’s practice running at the Bahrain International Circuit that he was struggling to understand the Ferrari F1-75 car over the short runs, leaving him with work to do overnight.

But he bounced back in qualifying by taking provisional pole in Q3 ahead of Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, only to slip to third during the final runs.

The Spaniard wound up 0.129 seconds off Leclerc’s pole time, but felt pleased to have even been in the fight…