The Russian Grand Prix was very intense for Scuderia Ferrari. In the process of growing from “cosmic zero” of the 2020 Formula 1 season, the Maranello team has the right to try to do better while also making some mistakes, following the dream of going back to the top next season. With Carlos Sainz, after having almost compromised his race at the first pit stop (the Spanish driver was stuck behind Gasly for several laps), in the end Carlos was able to score an excellent third place also for the constructors standings. With Charles Leclerc the sensational comeback from the bottom stopped due to the rain. The Monegasque made the same choice as Lando Norris, and the lack of communication with the pit wall led to a disappointing outcome.
“Both Hamilton and Verstappen were overshadowed by two boys with a romantic ‘Villeneuvian’ syndrome. Norris and Leclerc: stubborn, disobedient, and this time on the losing side. Convinced of being able to withstand adversaries and bad weather for a competitive miracle. Their stories are different. Norris was in front, Leclerc was coming back from the back. Norris was behind Hamilton; Leclerc overtook Verstappen. Both aware of the fact that they could be passed by several cars. Except for propitious variables. Rain, the maximum for a daredevil driving. But not this time, as they were punished by the lack of prudence, deciding to impose their wicked trust, at the cost of falling in sight of the finish line. Each enthusiast spent two hours of emotion keeping an eye, lap after lap, on the gap between Norris and Hamilton, as well as the positions gained by Leclerc”, says Giorgio Terruzzi in the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera.
“There is something good in the Ferrari balance after the race on the Russian track. And it is not a question of legitimate satisfaction with the presence on the podium of Carlos Sainz. The result is only an addition to the positive aspect represented by the good response that the new hybrid engine has given on the track. Ferrari had brought to Sochi, only on Charles Leclerc’s car, an experimental solution in view of the 2022 Formula 1 season. For those who remember, the first lap of Spaniard, who was in the lead, although illusory, recalled what happened in Portugal in 1993. Even back then, several years had passed since we saw a Ferrari able to escape in front. Jean Alesi succeeded for about twenty laps. It was the signal that the wind was slowly changing. Will it be like this this time too?” – Asks Leo Turrini on the Resto del Carlino.
With Carlos Sainz’s third place, the Scuderia gave a positive sign for the situation in the constructors standing, that could have become a lot more difficult had McLaren won the race. Thanks to the pouring rain at the end of the race, Lando Norris was unable to repeat the success of Daniel Ricciardo in Monza, and the Australian finished behind the Spanish driver of Ferrari. In the end Ferrari did not manage to gain points, but at least the gap did not grow a lot in favour of McLaren, so it is worthwhile for Maranello to continue fighting for third place.
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