'Verstappen fastest over the race, but two quicker in qualifying'

Carlos Sainz believes Max Verstappen is the best driver in race conditions — but says two drivers are quicker over a single lap.

Speaking on the El Partidazo de COPE programme, the Spaniard was asked who he thinks is the fastest driver on the grid.

He commented: "Over one lap, Charles [Leclerc]. It would be between him and Lando [Norris]. Over the race, Max.”

The four-time Grand Prix winner has first-hand experience racing against all three. He was Leclerc’s teammate at Ferrari, Norris’s at McLaren, and partnered Verstappen a decade ago at Toro Rosso.

However, he couldn’t give a straight answer to the question of who would be fastest if they all drove the same car.

He continued: "It depends on the car we’re driving, because if it’s a Red Bull, it seems clear that the answer would be Max.

“If we had a Mercedes, well I think Russell is driving the Mercedes very well, and it would be very difficult for us to get into a Mercedes and beat Russell.

"If it were a Williams, I’d tell you the same thing about Albon and I. It’s all about the car.”

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz celebrating their one-two finish at the Uited States Grand Prix in 2024 - Photo: Race Pictures

The Williams driver also said the nicest drivers are his former teammates Leclerc and Norris, but he didn’t answer when asked who is the most unlikeable.

Sainz did reveal with a smile that the ‘most dangerous’ driver is Liam Lawson, after the pair clashed at this year’s Dutch Grand Prix.

Verstappen on the same page as Sainz on best qualifier

Not so long ago, the Red Bull driver also answered a similar set of questions.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, he also named the Monegasque was the best on Saturdays: "It's hard, but I think currently... I have always Charles Leclerc considered a very good driver in qualifying."

In race conditions, he opted for Fernando Alonso.

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