Carlos Sainz took the win in Singapore in an amazing style. Everyone is talking about Sainz’s genius and awareness to give Lando Norris the DRS to protect against the charging Mercedes duo. However, Charles Leclerc played a crucial role in the greater scheme of things. Yet, despite embodying the ultimate team spirit to protect Sainz, Ferrari failed the Monegasque. But how?

Charles Leclerc got ahead of George Russell at the start as both the Ferraris ran 1-2. As Carlos Sainz managed the pace of the softer rubber, Charles made sure both Ferraris got away from the Mercedes and acted as a rear gunner for his teammate. Later on in the race, after Mercedes pitted for fresh rubber under the VSC, Leclerc stayed out to make sure that he was able to hold off the Mercedes duo as they attempted to charge for a win.

While many may say that Charles didn’t present much of a challenge, the time Mercedes lost to overtake Leclerc meant that the Silver Arrows took an extra lap to catch up to Norris. However, the Monegasque could’ve himself had a shot at the win had it not been for the double stack and the slow Ferrari pitstop under the safety car. Also, if Leclerc had pitted under the VSC, he would’ve been involved in the fight for the win. 

According to the Sky Sports F1 podcast, the host said, “He [Charles Leclerc] was prepared to act as his rear gunner. Particularly as he got ahead on the soft at the start. And you’ve got two Ferrari’s at the front. They were able to run at their own pace. Manage their tires. When they came in after the first safety car, they double-stacked. Charles had to have the 5.5-second pitstop which hurt him a little bit. After the race Charles said, ‘Look, we did the job we needed to do. It didn’t work out for me but it worked out for the team.’”

Ferrari really did fail Charles Leclerc who could’ve had a chance at the win or a podium at the bare minimum. Yet Charles Leclerc advised that his team made the right calls.

Read More: “He Is No Pushover”: How Carlos Sainz Overcame Ferrari Driver No. 2 Tag to Defeat Charles Leclerc

Charles Leclerc gives insights into Ferrari’s Singapore GP strategy

Despite the fact that Charles Leclerc was put on the back foot by Ferrari’s double stack and slow pitstop, the Monegasque advised that the team made the right calls. He explained how the race was all about keeping the lead Ferrari i.e. Carlos Sainz in the lead and creating a big enough gap to do so. 

During the post-race interview, Leclerc said, “That’s exactly what we wanted to do to protect the position to George, try and create the gap for Carlos to be able to stop one lap later than me without losing the lead. Unfortunately with the Safety Car, that put me on the back foot because I lost four or five positions.”

To what extent do you think Charles Leclerc played a role in Carlos Sainz’s victory?

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