The responsibility of being a Sainz in Spain

It was impossible that the one prior to this Grand Prix did not have Carlos Sainz as its epicenter. Racing with a Ferrari in front of your people is too much adrenaline for any mortal. In a championship divided between the protagonists of Verstappen and Leclerc, this weekend the spotlight falls on one of the supporting actors: Carlos Sainz. An immense amount of attention that is boosted by the opaque classification of Fernando Alonso, who did not even make it past Q1, and by the fact that Carlos bears the most glorious surname in Spanish motorsport.

Unfortunately at the time of the asphalt, Sainz Jr. has not been able to exchange the local illusion with the pole and has seen how Leclerc has made it clear that he has the capabilities that are required of a protagonist. The Monegasque bet in qualifying not to risk the tires in Q1 and Q2 and give everything in the auction. However, a spin in the definition chicane of Q3 has forced him to go out on the last lap to look for the times. It is there, with the pressure of knowing that he could end up in the background and with the teammates’ tribune demanding that he prove if the flashes belong to him, where Leclerc has exposed what he is made of, closing the most emotional pole of the season and shouting to the world that he has what it takes to be called a candidate.

Of the last 31 editions of the Spanish GP, in 28 the winners started from the front row. This means that Leclerc and Verstappen have a 90% chance of leading the champagne bath on the Spanish podium today. Sainz Jr. goes for the historic one from the third box hoping to break the logic. It can? He has a car, the fans roar about him and the circuit knows him. Three vital elements that excite the locals in reliving that mythical victory of 2013 when Fernando Alonso, clad in that same scarlet antiflame, starting from fifth place, managed to win against his own and slap the forecasts. The challenge is not easy, but who says being part of history ever has been. If Carlos doubts it, all he has to do is look at his father’s shelf where the two world rally titles and the three Dakar titles that he won with the same last name that he has embroidered on his chest today rest.