“We had a seven-second lead.” Charles Leclerc, taking many risks as the leader of the race, had cread a significant gap in the first laps with extreme wet tires ahead of Carlos Sainz, who respected the plan to protect the poleman while keeping the two Red Bulls at bay. The Red Bull pit wall, however, having nothing to lose, gambled by taking all the risks involved, but Ferrari lacked the quick thinking to follow Carlos Sainz’s correct directions regarding the strategy decisions – that is to say to use the slick tires directly on both F1-75 cars or alternatively Carlos Sainz was not forced to stop to respond immediately to Sergio Perez’s pit stop.
“Carlos Sainz has decided his own strategy. These are choices on which the feelings of the drivers weigh and how” – writes Giorgio Terruzzi in his editorial for Il Corriere della Sera titled ‘The time for gifts in red ends here’ – the fact is that Carlos was not racing to win but to protect Charles Leclerc. He felt the opportunity he has always been waiting for, he wanted to take risks, he should have won. Instead, his move sent everyone in a state of confusion regarding the tactics, without even taking home the consolation of seeing the second Ferrari driver on the top podium in Monte Carlo. Therefore, a misinterpretation of the driver. Not so much on the tires which needed to be used, but on his role in Ferrari, in a season entirely on Charles Leclerc’s shoulders. It was not only Carlos Sainz who made a mistake, mind you: the contradictory information sent to Charles showed the confusion and lack of a clear idea from the Ferrari strategists which obviously made Charles lose his nerves”.
“Charles Leclerc should have dominated the race, with Carlos Sainz covering his back. Instead, Perez won and Verstappen earned points over Charles – was the beginning of a report from Gianluca Gasparini in today’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport entitled ‘Ferrari, your priority is Leclerc’ – Charles Leclerc, without any fault, finished fourth in a GP that he had in his pocket even with the wet conditions. His outbursts, during and after the race, gave the measure of the mess caused by the pit wall. Ferrari should have a North Star this year, which responds to the name of Leclerc. This serves as a lesson, as Binotto said. The hope is that it will turn out to be just a stumbling block, to be remembered with a smile at the end of the season”.
‘Ferrari own goal’ is instead the title of La Stampa: “Leclerc has scored five pole positions and only two wins. Imola, Miami, Spain and now Monte-Carlo have been missed opportunities, which will weigh in the balance sheet of a season that began at top, with a competitive car in all circumstances – writes Stefano Mancini’s report – yesterday Mattia Binotto also attempted to win outside the track: the two Red Bulls stepped on the yellow line out of the pit lane. The FIA rejected the Ferrari protest because yes, the line was toucnhed, but not crossed with the entire wheel”.
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