F1, 2022 Monaco GP: Carlos Sainz did not refuse to follow Ferrari’s strategy in Monte Carlo. Carlos did not refuse to follow Ferrari's strategy in Monte Carlo.

Did Carlos Sainz refuse to follow Scuderia Ferrari’s strategy in the 2022 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix? This is the first big question that many believe triggered the domino effect that cost, not only the victory for Charles Leclerc but also a one-two finish for the Maranello team. The answer is very simple and most importantly negative. Carlos Sainz did not refuse to follow the indications of the team and did not decide of his own free will not to return to the pits.

Initially Ferrari wanted to cover the Red Bull move who had pitted Sergio Perez, calling the Spaniard back to the pits but Carlos wanted to share his opinion to race engineer Riccardo Adami: “I’m not convinced it’s the right choice, the track will be dry in a few laps”. The track engineer told him clearly that the aim was to cover up the Mexican’s strategy. The number 55 is still in the first phase of the lap, we are between Mirabeau and Tunnell and he reiterates that according to him in 5-6 laps he will switch to slicks. This is lap 17 and Sergio Perez has just come out of the pits.

Charles Leclerc leads the race with a five second advantage over Carlos Sainz, 9.9 over Max Verstappen. Sergio Perez was just over 8 seconds behind the Monegasque before stopping and will come out of the pits 26 seconds behind Charles Leclerc and around 20 seconds behind Carlos Sainz.

Once in the Tobacconist area, Riccardo Adami confirms the stop for the Spaniard who presses the ‘Pit Confirm’ button, thus accepting the team’s decision. But the Ferrari pit wall completely changes its mind once the Spaniard arrives at the Rascasse, telling him to stay out. The motivation? The Spaniard only has an 18-second advantage over Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, while Charles Leclerc had a gap of 26 seconds over the Mexican driver. Sergio Perez in the out lap has recovered about 2 seconds to both Ferrari cars. In short, even in the event of an immediate stop, Carlos Sainz would hardly have remained in front of Sergio Perez and therefore this would have meant finding himself with 1-4 after the first stop.

In this phase, the Mexican was very lucky because once he arrived close to Lando Norris, who had not yet stopped for his Pit, the McLaren driver was immediately called in, leaving the way clear for Sergio Perez who was able to push without further traffic.