Carlos Sainz
Formula Renault 3.5, Spa-Francorchamps
Spa-Francorchamps is such a legendary, beloved venue that most drivers, when asked, will admit a certain affinity for it. Many young racers name it as their favorite track around. What puts Carlos Sainz specifically above his countless Spa-loving peers, however, is that he is uncannily good at it.
Sainz won at Spa in his runner-up season in the Eurocup, as well as his title-winning campaign in NEC. He won at Spa amidst a tough year in British F3 in 2012. In GP3, his only pole of the season came at Spa and, while he was punted off by rival Jack Harvey in race one, he gained nine places on his starting position in race two.
The only category where he was unspectacular around the Belgian track was 3.5 in 2013, when he failed to finish both races in his second weekend in the series.
His 2014 visit to Spa was the perfect time for amends, with Sainz entering Belgium as the championship leader and looking to stretch his advantage. And amends were made.
In the first qualifying, Sainz narrowly beat fellow Red Bull rival Pierre Gasly, but that didn’t prepare us for what was about to happen in the race. Over the 18 laps, Sainz dominated, resulting in a 17-second advantage on the Frenchman at the checkered flag. The Spaniard’s fastest lap was a full second quicker than anything the rest of the field managed.
On Sunday, he qualified 0.36s clear of second-placed Oliver Rowland. The Brit did manage to trouble Sainz in the race, nearly stealing the lead into turn one and following him for much of the early stint. But, after an issue in the pits cost Rowland several seconds, the race was over ? and Sainz would eventually win by 12 seconds.
He left Spa with a 43-point lead and a deserved reputation as Formula Renault 3.5’s top man. And, despite some hiccups further down the road, his sheer pace would go on to make him champion.
But, apart from being 3.5’s first Red Bull-backed champion, he’ll also have a legacy as someone who managed to make Spa ? a track which produced sublime 3.5 races in 2012 and 2013 ? dull and predictable.
The 2015 Belgian GP should see Spa masters Sainz and Verstappen go head to head as teammates. It should a marvellous spectacle.
Valentin Khorounzhiy