Fighting against Ferrari and Red Bull "a new kind of racing" for Sainz

Carlos Sainz believes he faces "a new kind of racing" with McLaren now going head to head with Ferrari and Red Bull this Formula 1 season.

McLaren finished fourth in the 2019 constructors' championship standings, albeit a considerable distance behind the 'big three' - Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull - in terms of points.

Following qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, McLaren showed comparable pace to that of Red Bull, and appear to be ahead of Ferrari.

Sainz's team-mate Lando Norris starts from a career-best fourth, splitting Red Bull duo Max Verstappen and Alex Albon, while the Spaniard starts seventh, while the Spaniard lines up in eighth, a place behind Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, and three ahead of Sebastian Vettel.

“I’m looking forward to the fight," said Sainz. "Looking forward to also a new kind of racing, having to race Ferrari, having to race possibly Red Bull, having to race the Racing Points that were clearly quicker than us on Friday.

“It’s going to be a different kind of racing from the midfield races of last year, so hopefully we can enjoy it and see how it goes.”

In starting four places behind Norris, Sainz goes into the race on the backfoot compared to his team-mate, and recognising he faces a tough battle ahead to score a strong result.

"For me, it's a bit tricky," added Sainz. If I were starting a bit further up like Lando, I would definitely go into the race thinking, if I show good pace, I can defend the position.

"From eighth, having to overtake a Racing Point - they are flying on the straights and they showed extremely good pace - a Ferrari, a Red Bull...

"Judging by our Friday pace it is going to be difficult to overtake them, to mount a challenge, but anything can happen in this new Formula 1 that we have found n 2020.

"It's definitely different from last year, so I am not discounting anything yet."

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