Despite French GP Frustrations, Carlos Sainz Pardons Ferrari Mistakes

A new race weekend brought another battle for Carlos Sainz. Serving a grid penalty in a bargain for a new engine, Sainz started the race from the back of the grid in France. His team then impeded his chance of a podium finish with a faulty strategy.

Sainz was quickly gaining position and clearing the back of the grid to fight for points. However, a mere point finish was never the goal for Ferrari, as all eyes were fixed on the P3 result. Sainz’s charge through the grid was unfortunately shadowed by what could’ve been for the driver.

However, Ferrari’s messy strategy was on display once again. Sainz, right on the cusp of his overtake on Perez for P3, was asked to pit on the team radio. And after completing his move on Perez and cementing his podium place, he was pitted with ten laps to go. However, contrary to his radio comments, Sainz was in agreement post-race.

He said, “No! [the win wasn’t possible] Not the win, but a podium position with the perfect race we could have made it. The win? Max was pretty perfect out there and it wasn’t like we could beat Max.”

Sainz wanted to risk staying out but added, “I am 100% sure they did it with the best intentions. We need to keep progressing and doing a better job and analyze everything.”

Read More: Chaotic Ferrari Timings Leave Carlos Sainz Raging on Team Radio as Prancing Horses Suffer Strategic Mess Again

The Spaniard surprisingly didn’t blame his team for his misfortunes. The risk could’ve been costly as his teammate Leclerc spun out and crashed out of the race from the lead.

Carlos Sainz, in agreement with the team’s strategic calls

Contrary to the onboard radio calls, the Spaniard defended the team’s decision in his post-race interview. The Spaniard’s stance on his team’s strategic calls is the opposite of the general belief.

He said, “I think the team is doing a good job this year on strategy. I still believe that at Ferrari we get super criticized for things that other teams are also going through in their pitstop windows. Whenever there is a tricky moment on the strategy we are discussing things”

And added, “A disaster that some people seem to say about us. We are open to discuss these things.”

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Sainz continues to have faith in his team, while his teammate is seemingly losing hope. As the alarm rings at Maranello, the journey to the championship goal remains rocky for the Scuderia.