Carlos Sainz has revealed his fears of a high-speed crash induced by the new Formula 1 regulations at high-speed circuits.
The new technical regulations continue to divide opinion in F1, with battery management at the forefront of the debate.
Straight Mode (SM) is causing particular concern for Sainz, the combination of high speed corners, low downforce and open rear wings a recipe for disaster in the eyes of the Spaniard.
Australia’s high-speed sections were the main issue for Sainz, as the fast-flowing Turns 9 and 10 saw straight mode being activated.
Not holding back in his critique, he raised the potential consequences for drivers during these high speed sections.
“SM is a plaster on top of a plaster,” Sainz said to media, including Motorsport Week.
“Racing with your wings open on the straights at 340 km/h, sooner rather than later, there’s going to be a big crash at very high speeds in tracks like Australia with little kinks.”
Certain tracks cause for concern for Carlos Sainz
Sainz then outlined the tracks where he sees the issue becoming potentially dangerous, doubling down on his criticism of SM as a “plaster”.
“Places like Jeddah, with open wings… I don’t like it,” he said.
“I don’t like having to race flat out at 340 km/h with no downforce in the car and the wings open, especially at those kinds of tracks. [In China] a straight line is fine. But in the other kind of tracks, it’s not good.
“SM is the plaster to a very energy-demanding circuit and car.”
Sainz’s criticism is a sign of growing unease from the drivers, as they continue to raise very real concerns over the safety and raceability of the new regulations.
All eyes will be on the FIA after Suzuka to see what action [if any] is taken to address concerns over the spectacle and racing.
READ MORE: Carlos Sainz reveals why leaving McLaren ‘was the right thing to do’
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