![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/73\/590x\/secondary\/4941503.jpg?r=1693778698343\")
<\/p>\n
It was an eventful race weekend for Sainz, who claimed to have ‘goosebumps’ when he sealed an emotional pole position during qualifying on Saturday. The Spaniard was tasked with keeping double world champion Max Verstappen behind him in the early stages of Sunday’s race.<\/p>\n
He succeeded for longer than many expected, but tyre degredation eventually got the better of him as Verstappen breezed past and didn’t look back. Red Bull’s superior pace also saw Sergio Perez tear past before the chequered flag, leaving Sainz in third.<\/p>\n
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n
The pole-sitter was very nearly edged out of a podium place altogether, with his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc pushing hard in the closing laps. But Sainz saw the job through by a narrow margin to celebrate on Monza’s famous podium.<\/p>\n
“It was a great weekend all along and to be able to celebrate a podium with the tifosi is the perfect icing on the cake,” said the 29-year-old after the race. “I really want to thank every single one of them for their endless support. They are very special!<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/73\/590x\/secondary\/4941521.jpg?r=1693778698439\")
<\/p>\n
“Today I did everything I could to try to keep both Red Bulls behind, using my tyres to the limit and pushing the entire race. Unfortunately they still have the edge over us on race day and P3 was the maximum today.<\/p>\n
“We had good battles on track with them, and with Charles, and I hope people enjoyed it as much as I did. Now we have some time to regroup and start preparing for Singapore as soon as possible.”<\/p>\n