Carlos Sainz Criticizes F1’s Straight Line Mode as a “Plaster”
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Australian GP Context:
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Sainz started 21st after missing qualifying due to an Energy Recovery System (ERS) issue.
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Finished 15th after a front wing change cost him ~20 seconds.
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Straight Line Mode Issues:
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SLM allows drivers to deploy movable wings to boost top speed on straights, compensating for energy deployment limitations of the new 50/50 combustion-electric power units.
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Sainz described the system as a “plaster on top of the engine issue”, masking the underlying energy deployment problems rather than fixing them.
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Safety Concerns:
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Sainz said the biggest danger was Lap 1 and overtaking situations, where cars using SLM through corners or close racing felt unstable:
“Lap 1 and overtaking doesn’t seem to be very safe at the minute with the SLM.”
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FIA initially removed a fourth SLM zone at Albert Park (Turn 6–9) over safety concerns but reinstated it after team feedback.
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The issue arises from balance changes when cars enter Straight Mode, making some sections riskier than intended.
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Necessity vs. Fix:
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Sainz acknowledged that SLM is needed to make the cars raceable with current energy limits, but it is not a long-term solution:
“If you remove SLM, we cannot even race with the deployment we have.”
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Overall Take:
- Sainz sees SLM as a temporary measure, necessary for racing but dangerous in practice and a band-aid over deeper engine formula problems.
Key Quote:
“SLM is the plaster on top of the issue of the engine… in the end, you end up having a dangerous situation like we have in Lap 1 and racing in general.”