Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz has revealed the Italian side’s plan to “bump out” a car at the end of the first qualifying phase for the 2021 Turkish Grand Prix, which proved to be a good strategic move given the fact that it was Daniel Ricciardo eliminated in Q1 and as a result McLaren will also have a car starting from the lower part of the grid on Sunday.
Carlos Sainz was aware that he would have to start the 2021 Turkish Grand Prix from the back of the grid after the Maranello team decided to replace his entire power unit ahead of the Istanbul weekend, resulting in a grid penalty but at the same time providing the Spaniard with the opportunity to run the updated hybrid system given to team-mate Charles Leclerc two weeks ago at Sochi Autodrom.
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Carlos Sainz was sent out to set competitive laps, however, and qualified through to Q2 at the expense of Daniel Ricciardo, with the result dampening McLaren’s prospects for the weekend and giving Ferrari a better chance to recover some points against rivals McLaren in the fight for third place, behind Mercedes and Red Bull.
“That was the plan, to try and bump out a car in Q1,” explained Carlos Sainz. “We actually managed to bump out our direct competitor Daniel there, a McLaren.”
With Charles Leclerc struggling to make Q3, Carlos came back on track late in Q2 to help his teammate by providing a slipstream, a great move that ultimately paid dividends as the Monégasque will start from third.
“A good Q1 and a good Q2 giving Charles a tow,” added Carlos – “I hope it helped and made life a little bit easier.”
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On his own chances of fighting through the field on Sunday, Carlos Sainz explained.: “Let’s see. It all depends on how the car feels in traffic and how we can go through the field but the pace of the car looks good so I am disappointed not to take part in this quali. You see where Charles is now. Not to have two cars up there feels like a bit of a missed opportunity, with Lando eighth and Ricciardo 15th but anyway, we will give it our best shot tomorrow.” – Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz concluded.
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