Carlos Sainz fears the once fearsome challenge of Spa-Francorchamps has been neutered by more runoff areas.

Over the past two decades, the increasing grip of Formula 1 cars has removed the do-or-dare nature of corners like Eau Rouge and Blanchimont, while other tricky sections like Rivage, Pouhon and Stavelot have seen more and more tarmac installed.

This year, the exit kerbs of Malmedy and Stavelot have got even wider allowing drivers to take more and more liberties and for Sainz, that is ruining one of the greatest circuits in the world.

"I think sector two is one of the best sectors we have in the whole calendar. I think the only thing Spa is missing now is the gravel and the grass next to the exit kerbs," he was quoted by RaceFans.

"I feel now we have a bit too much asphalt and the feel of risk and paying off risk/reward, it’s not good enough in these modern circuits. I think even though safety is paramount I think there’s still a compromise to be found with the tarmac runoff areas.

Also Read:

• Ricciardo: Spa no longer offers a 'single-lap rush' in today's F1 cars
• Sainz: New 2020 F1 tracks great for drivers but must produce a 'spectacle'

"Although the combination of sector two and Eau Rouge and everything is incredible, I think there’s still work to do to try and make more of a penalty for drivers when you run wide.

"Just having that tarmac there takes that fear out of you of pushing a bit too much: Turn 10 [Pouhon] the exit of 13 [Fagnes], the exit of eight [Rivage].

"I miss gravel, I miss grass, and it’s something that we’ll talk with the FIA to see how we can at least create that feeling for the driver to make sure we can feel a bit more risk/reward when going into a fast corner."

As for qualifying, Sainz will start seventh for McLaren between the Mercedes', Red Bulls and Renaults.

And the Spaniard is hoping the receding chance of rain proves accurate due to the approach the team has taken. 

“If there’s one race where maybe I don’t like the rain so much it’s here because we’ve elected for a super low-downforce set-up,” he told Sky Sports.

“So [we’re] expecting it not to rain. We saw a 50% chance, we tried higher downforce here this weekend and on our car, it was not working. We were just too draggy and we couldn’t make the high-downforce work.

“In order to qualify well, we decided to go super low [downforce]. If it rains tomorrow… we are in trouble! But at least we try.”

Sainz though also admits moving forward from his grid slot will also be difficult.

“All the cars we have in front are quicker I think both in race-pace and in qualifying,” he said.

“The Renaults have been, to us, three tenths ahead all weekend. They look to be very competitive in a low-downforce package which is the same as last year. In Monza and Spa they seemed to be very competitive so it will be difficult for us to beat them.

“I’m surprised to qualify ahead of the Racing Points and I’m pretty sure they will put on a pretty big fight tomorrow, but at least we are there in the middle of the fight.”