F1: Sainz questions strategy calls

Carlos Sainz Jr. has questioned Toro Rosso's decision-making after being left perplexed by the strategy calls made during the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix.

Sainz feels he was overlooked during the race when he asked to pit, after a race where his teammate Max Verstappen went on to finish fourth.

"I am a bit disappointed with the way we planned the pit stops," Sainz told AUTOSPORT. "I had a good start, but got stuck behind a Williams.

"When I tried to overtake him I asked to go for the undercut, but they didn't give it to me. I don't know why, but they gave it to Max who was behind me.

"McLaren did the same with Fernando [Alonso], even though I was also in front of him. Then for the last stint I was right behind Fernando when he pitted for the option [tire] for the last part of the race, but I didn't, while knowing the option is so much quicker.

"So there are two or three points to analyze, to see what happened, why we are not making the right decisions."

Sainz's frustration was compounded by the fact he retired for the third straight race while running in the points. After a power unit issue in Austria and an electrical problem at Silverstone, the 20-year-old was forced to pull over at the Hungaroring with a technical defect that resulted in a loss of boost pressure.

"I don't know how, but all of a sudden I was P5," said Sainz. "I had to hold off Fernando and the Lotus drivers behind me on the option [tire].

"I think I was doing a good job, but soon after Fernando overtook me I ran out of power and everyone started to fly past. I ran out of battery first, and in the middle of the straights I heard massive clicks and I couldn't go over fifth gear.

"It's a real pity because it was the third consecutive race I was in the points – but this time with much more points available to be scored – and for the third consecutive race I don't finish. It's difficult to take, but sport is sometimes like that.

"Now we have the summer to reset a bit and go for the results in the second half – because the performance is clearly there."

Originally on Autosport.com