“Sorry Checo but I Have an Issue”: Carlos Sainz’s Mexican GP Weekend Goes From Bad to Worse as Shocking Issue Crops Up

A week ago, the Ferrari garage had a very contrasting race weekend. Following the Sprint on Saturday, Carlos Sainz wasn’t happy with the car. On the other hand, Charles Leclerc had a pretty good outing, finishing in P3. Although Ferrari knew the race was going to be tough for the team, it maximized its results with a P4 for Sainz and a P6 for Leclerc. Or so it thought. Leclerc, unfortunately, was disqualified along with Lewis Hamilton, bumping Sainz into P3. Understandably, the emotions in the Ferrari garage weren’t at an all-time high. But given the podium for Sainz, the Scuderia may have wanted to continue the momentum Sainz gained at the Mexican GP. Well, it’s not going according to plan.

A podium should’ve ensured Sainz entered the Mexican GP paddock in high spirits as the weekend started. Turns out, the Spaniard couldn’t even make it to the paddock on Thursday, and his problems only got worse on Friday.

The Mexican GP has not gotten off to a good start for Carlos Sainz

Thursday is Media Day during every race weekend. It’s a tradition. At the Mexican GP, the paddock is a sight to behold, with mariachi bands and pinatas hanging from the roofs. Unfortunately, Sainz didn’t get to witness the Mexico City vigor on Thursday because he was unwell. But as soon as the news broke, Ferrari stressed that the illness was “nothing serious,” and that Sainz would be in the car on Friday. Oh, if only Ferrari knew.

Although Sainz made it to the garage after not featuring on F1’s ‘Thursday Drivers’ Wrap,’ his track running got off to as good (or bad, in this case) a start as his race weekend. As soon as he got out on track in Free Practice 1, he told his engineer, “The engine does a slight strange noise when I am full throttle, like a metal noise. Just for info.” Does this sound familiar? Because the Spaniard and Ferrari had a few misfiring issues even at the Qatar GP a few weeks ago. 

Shortly after, the car and engine gave up—just like most Ferrari fans this year. “Ah, I lost the car, hydraulics. I am going to try and make it back. I have no power steering. Sorry Checo, but I have an issue with the car,” said Sainz. Since the time he dragged his SF-23 to the garage, he’s stayed inside. While the Ferrari mechanics are working on the issue, it doesn’t look good for the team. Sainz’s weekend just went from bad to worse.

Read More: “Why Did I Have to Let Sainz By”: Ailing Charles Leclerc Lashes Out at Ferrari for ‘Ruining’ US GP

The going from bad to worse pattern seems like a Ferrari thing now, because this is precisely what happened with Charles Leclerc at the US GP.

Leclerc was on the receiving end of Ferrari’s miseries before Sainz

Sprint weekends this season have been good for Charles Leclerc. Coming into the US GP, the Monegasque would’ve been excited to continue his impressive Sprint weekend streak. On Friday, it looked like things were on track for Leclerc. He secured his 21st career pole position, hoping to convert it into his first win in 2023. Unfortunately for Leclerc, it didn’t work out in his favor as he failed to convert a 10th consecutive pole to a win. But it wasn’t his fault.

Apart from the fact that Mercedes and McLaren were faster than Ferrari, the Scuderia’s strategy (shocker!) ruined Leclerc’s race. In a race that was always going to be a two-stopper (at least for Ferrari, with its high tire degradation), the team made Leclerc do a one-stopper. Crossing the line in P6 after starting first, things got worse. After his car failed a plank test post-race, the Monegasque got disqualified. Although that ensured Sainz secured a P3, the Spaniard expressed his feelings on Instagram. “Sweet & Sour. Happy for P3 but gutted for Charles and the team,” he wrote.

WATCH THIS STORY | What has become an Incessant Problem for Charles Leclerc & Carlos Sainz in Ferrari’s F1 Challenger? 

How do you think Carlos Sainz and Ferrari will do at the Mexican GP?