Daniil Kvyat has urged his Toro Rosso team not to get “overexcited” after its eye-catching performance in Monaco Grand Prix practice.
Kvyat and Sainz finished fourth and fifth respectively in the afternoon session, out-pacing the Red Bull of Max Verstappen and both Mercedes drivers.
The Russian, though, insists the team will still need a stroke of luck if it is to snatch a podium this weekend.
“Many things should happen for us to be [on the podium], so let’s not get overexcited,” Kvyat said.
“[There is] a lot of work to be done, the car seems good, but as we know we have to be extremely focused to stay in this comfortable window.
“There are no expectations, like today we just did our job, we tried to put the car in a most comfortable window as possible and it worked well. I don’t think we need to be clever or anything.”
Sainz echoed his team-mate’s sentiments, predicting that the team will slip back down the pecking order when the action resumes on Saturday.
“I honestly don’t think at the moment that a podium is up for us to grab it,” the Spaniard conceded.
“I think Saturday will be a lot more realistic in terms of pace and positions.
“Monaco always brings surprises on Thursday and I expect Saturday to be a lot tougher, but hopefully better than Barcelona, this is what I’m really looking for.”
