McLaren's Dutch GP pace left Carlos Sainz and others in 'awe'

The event saw McLaren debut a set of new upgrades, which significantly boosted their competitiveness against championship leaders Red Bull.

Lando Norris secured pole position with a commanding advantage of a third of a second and went on to win the race with a margin of 22.9 seconds over Max Verstappen.

Despite McLaren's impressive showing, Sainz took the opportunity to commend his former team-mate.

"It's disappointing, but at least it's frustrating for everyone, not just for Ferrari," Sainz remarked to the media.

"It's good to see we're not falling behind Red Bull, and we managed to pass a Red Bull and close in on a McLaren during the race."

Sainz acknowledged Norris's exceptional performance: "Lando had a stellar weekend, and we need to give credit where it's due.

"Oscar Piastri finishing fourth shows that McLaren was in a league of their own. Lando's performance was outstanding."

As Sainz prepares for his final race with Ferrari at the Italian Grand Prix, he anticipates a stronger showing for the Scuderia.

"Monza has been resurfaced, so it will be quite different from previous years," he noted. "We hope to get both cars on the podium or in the top five, and we'll see if we can challenge for the win."

The Italian Grand Prix at Monza, known for its high-speed action and as the home race for Ferrari, will be a pivotal moment in the 2024 Formula 1 season.