Ferrari conquers Singapore. It does so with Carlos Sainz, the protagonist of a sensational race. However, the course of the 2023 Formula 1 season had assured us that none of the nine teams in F1 could halt Red Bull’s streak of victories. The arrival in the Asian continent has interrupted an unprecedented dominance, thanks to the efforts of the Prancing Horse. This confirmed the determined attitude that had been evident in the Spanish driver since the return from the summer break, marking a return to the top step of the podium after over a year’s drought.
All it took was for the reigning world champion to step aside for one weekend to remind us of the adrenaline that only an extreme sport like F1 can provide. Carlos Sainz’s victory is not just the perfect conclusion to a weekend in which he was the absolute protagonist. This triumph has confirmed the solidity that the Spanish driver is capable of when he assesses the situation with his car.
The perfect setup, Red Bull out of the picture, and the ability to manage the race allowed the Italian team to be the only one so far capable of temporarily halting the dominance that had persisted since Bahrain. A victory that seemed likely in Singapore after the remarkable performance of both Ferrari drivers during qualifying, but far from guaranteed considering the minimal gap between the top four and the proximity of the barriers that prevented Russell from finishing the race.
Ferrari: Sainz’s winning strategy
After the race, Carlos emphasized how crucial it was to follow a series of pre-planned tactics, both concerning the life of the Hard tire and the hypothetical strategies under Safety Car conditions, which undoubtedly represented the key to success. However, the real difference was made at the end of the Grand Prix when the driver decided, without consulting his team, to slow down to favor Lando Norris with DRS, who was being pursued by the two Mercedes.
According to Carlos Sainz, this strategy was crucial for victory as it made it much more challenging for Russell to overtake his compatriot. It was a race that was more mentally exhausting overall, with the awareness that even a slight mistake could lead to disaster.
A unique situation for Charles Leclerc, who, despite a strong start, couldn’t secure a podium due to a pit stop dictated by traffic and a performance overall less impressive than his teammate. A fourth-place finish, however, solidifies the SF-23 on a track where, considering the previous race in Zandvoort, no one expected the car to have a race pace capable of securing victory.
Charles, clearly disappointed by missing out on the podium, confirmed that he didn’t feel “sacrificed” by the team in any way. Instead, he expressed satisfaction with his car’s performance during the race, especially considering that Singapore is a high-downforce circuit, much like the Netherlands. The Monegasque driver doesn’t feel “pushed aside” but is confident about the upcoming races.
Sainz’s Ferrari Makes F1 More Exciting for a Sunday
What was witnessed today at Marina Bay is the representation of an ideal scenario when you take victory away from those who usually claim it. A race that, truth be told, was on the wish list of anyone who loves this sport—one of those races that had nothing guaranteed, where any driver could have taken the lead given the close times.
Ferrari perhaps found itself in the right place at the right time for the first time this year, with the right drivers. Because, despite his fourth-place finish, Charles Leclerc is aware of how significant the 79 thousandths he lost in qualifying were. He knows that the missed podium represents a desire for redemption starting next week because he certainly doesn’t need to reaffirm his talent. He possesses the determination that has always set him apart.
The same determination shown today by Carlos Sainz in clenching that victory that had been absent from Italy for over a year. Confirmation of the right mindset that can lead to great things when the Ferrari team, perhaps as early as next year, can finally provide a championship-winning car to its strong and prepared drivers.
A Prancing Horse finally pleasant to watch, a team that didn’t falter in the crucial moments of the race despite the challenge with car number 16. The SF-23 can certainly boast a lineup that proves ready to aim for something greater than an occasional victory. Two drivers who hope not to have to wait another year to see another flag in Maranello.
Source: Vanessa Caputo for FUnoanalisitecnica
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