Enthusiastic about the Spaniard

Former world champion on Sainz: “He’s fighting for survival”

Carlos Sainz wants to continue to seize his opportunities.(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Former Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill has expressed his enthusiasm for Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz in a podcast. The Spaniard is fighting resolutely for his sporting survival and even seems somewhat liberated in the process. The Briton also commented on a penalty against Fernando Alonso at the race in Australia.

Perhaps Sainz was even liberated by Ferrari's decision, Hill speculated in the "F1 Nation" podcast. The Spaniard had shown that he was ready to take on the challenge and was probably thinking to himself: "You can tell me to stop or whatever, but it doesn't matter, because I'm fighting for my survival."

There aren't many options in a situation like this, says the 1996 world champion: "When people are down, they either get up again or they stay down and hide, and he doesn't do that. He's not that kind of person." The reaction that the Spaniard has shown so far commands Hill's great respect.

Hill defends Alonso
The 63-year-old also commented on an issue that caused a stir at the Australian Grand Prix. Fernando Alonso tried to outbrake his rival George Russell during the race. The Mercedes driver had to brake hard, oversteered and slid into the crash barriers. After investigations, the Spaniard was given a penalty.

A decision that the Briton could not understand. Such tactics were simply part and parcel of racing: "We have to assume that the FIA wants to stop people from doing things that are potentially dangerous. But it is dangerous! Car racing is dangerous!"