Former Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg feels that the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix would have had a different outome if Ferrari were able to fix the SF21 car and allow to Monegasque driver to take part in the race on the streets of Monte Carlo.
Charles’ bad luck in Monaco seemed to be over after the Ferrari driver took pole in the qualifying session. Yet a crash in the final stages of qualifying started a series of events that led to the Monegasque driver not being able to take part in his home event, despite the fact that Ferrari was confident no damage existed on the SF21 car. Former Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg believes Scuderia Ferrari did not give a thorough enough check of the car, as eventually Charles Leclerc was not even able to complete his out lap.
“We would have seen a very different race if Charles Leclerc had been able to start, he would have won today [Sunday] I’m sure,” Nico Rosberg said, as reported by Sky Sport Italia. “He was so incredibly fast this weekend so he would have won. What a bad day for Ferrari. They didn’t check the car properly because they only looked at one side of the car, so it’s a very tough day for them. I think they should have looked a little bit more closely, I understand there was stress but I think they should have found it. Now they have to make do with second place with [Carlos] Sainz, which is also nice, but it’s still a shame when you know you could have won.” – the former German F1 driver explained.
At the same time, Nico Rosberg admitted that he was impressed by Carlos Sainz’s performance on the streets of Monte Carlo, adding that Ferrari were right to give Carlos the opportunity to drive for them, despite the fact that Rosberg was initially skeptical about the the Italian side’s decision:
“I was very critical of Ferrari’s choice to sign Sainz and he is doing great. I was wrong and Binotto was totally right. I thought they needed [Daniel] Ricciardo but they just needed Sainz who has been very steady this year and has been there every time. Sainz had the speed to take pole on Saturday so I understand he was frustrated with Leclerc’s crash, yet he held his ground and took second place which is very impressive. He’s always positive and I like that in him, he’s a really good driver for Ferrari.” – he concluded.
