ANDn Ferrari are being cautious, but taking the appropriate steps until get to stand up to Red Bull. In Canada, those from Maranello had a great pace, although a poor classification by Leclerc and a subsequent sanction for Sainz deprived them of the first rows and, therefore, they could only opt to be in the Top-5. Still, they maintained the leading times of the race and held on behind Checo Pérez’s Red Bull.
In Austria, they proved to be the second team on track by performance. Sainz maintained a higher pace than Leclerc in the early part of the race. A series of misfortunes: controversial decisions by the team, an eight-second stoppage and penalties for track limits, ended up relegating the 55th to sixth position. “You see that you are playing as a team and then that happens to you….you are left with a very bitter feeling”said Sainz, showing that he was not satisfied.
Silverstone is marked in red for Sainz. The man from Madrid reaped his first victory in Great Britain after ‘ignoring’ a Ferrari measure that favored Leclerc. Those from Maranello ordered Sainz to act as a wall for the Monegasque: “Carlos leaves a margin with Charles to defend us from the cars behind”. The Spaniard, with a new tire, only had victory among his plans: “You can’t ask me that. Stop inventing.” Passed to her partner and straight towards her first victory in Formula 1.
Carlos Sainz, with the victory at Silverstone.
There is no one more consistent than Sainz
Ferrari’s 55 is the only driver, along with Fernando Alonso, who has been in all Q3 this season. In Maranello they are aware of the value of Sainz: “I am satisfied with Carlos, he is regular and gives important technical indications. With Charles he forms a winning couple. I think (Sainz) is very undervalued,” said Vasseur in the run-up to the Austrian GP.
The Spaniard is getting the most out of a car that, in the first instance, was not there to compete with Aston Martin, Mercedes and Red Bull. Based on perseverance and speed, Carlos has managed to be the first Ferrari driver in the standings (despite certain decisions), being ahead of Leclerc, Russell and Stroll.
Only the FIA sanction in Australia, when he was running in 4th position, has deprived Sainz of putting the SF-23 in the points in all the races. In return, Leclerc has already added three DNFs for his team. Points that would have brought the Italian team closer to second place in the constructors’ championship.
Carlos Sainz, in the Ferrari garage.
The improvement race
The success of Austria has not satisfied those of Maranello. They want more and at Silverstone they will bring news to the car again. A new update to the rear diffuser to stoke the fight for victories: “We will bring improvements to Silverstone, we want to keep fighting. It will be a long battle until the end of the season.”
We will bring a new diffuser to Silverstone, we want to keep fighting. It will be a long battle until the end of the season
At the moment, the objective is to reach Mercedes and Aston Martin in the constructors’ championship. 21 and 24 points, respectively, separate them from both teams. “If we also do well in Austria, after Canada, we will be sure that we have taken the right path”Vasseur warned about the new SF-23.
Carlos Sainz has adapted better to the evolution of the car and he has shown it to be so on both tracks. In Maranello they must decide if both drivers can compete on the track and show who is the fastest. In Austria and Canada this circumstance did not occur. If the goal is to fight for victories, Ferrari must “put an end to inventions.”
