Interviewed by Sky Sport F1 HD at the end of qualifying session for the 2021 Portuguese Grand Prix, the third round of the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship, Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto explained the reasons that led the Ferrari pit wall to use soft compounds in Q2 on Carlos Sainz’s car, highlighting how the team preferred not to risk being eliminated from Q3, a situation that would have complicated the Spaniard’s race on Sunday.
In the first attempt in Q2 with medium compound Carlos Sainz was unable to place himself in the top 10, an aspect that prompted the strategists to change the initial plans, turning to the soft for the second and decisive attempt. A different story for Charles Leclerc, however, given that the Monegasque driver managed to exploit the potential of the SF21 to the maximum with the C2 tires, engaging Q3 with what, on paper, should be the best strategy for the first part of the race in Portimao.
“Starting the race with two different compounds for our drivers was not the plan, since the ideal situation was to have both of them start on the yellow tyre” said the Italian side’s Team Principal – “We tried, but unfortunately it didn’t go as we hoped. The first attempt in Q2 was with mediums, but Carlos’s lap was not enough. So in order not to risk anything we put the soft for him, varying the strategy initially designed for the race.” – the Ferrari boss explained.
On Charles Leclerc he added: “We knew Charles was closer to the goal we set ourselves and that he had made a mistake. So he could do better than before. This is why we took the risk of using the yellow tyres with him. And I must say that in the end, with the averages, he did a good lap, which is probably proof that he was better off with these tires.” – Mattia Binotto concluded.
