The 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix was a quiet race for the Maranello team or at least this is the feeling we all had. For Ferrari the start was certainly the most excited moment. Charles Leclerc had a good start and immediately entered the fight for third position against Valtteri Bottas who, on the other hand, did not have a brilliant start. The Finn manages to resist the attacks carried out by Charles in the first corners of the track and to maintain his position.
On the other hand, it was a complicated first lap for Carlos Sainz who, due to a slow start from the third box, was caught by Lando Norris (5th on the grid) with the two making contact before turn-1. Lando is the driver to suffer more consequences: a puncture and forced pit stop. Everything in order on Carlos Sainz’s car but due to the episode he is forced to follow Charles Leclerc in 5th position.
The emotions for the Maranello drivers seem to end practically on lap 4 when Lewis manages to free himself from both Ferrari cars in two laps. From that moment on for Charles and Carlos it was just a matter of managing the advantage over Gasly who, after an unhappy start, managed to get back to 7th position before the pit.
The AlphaTauri’s gap to Carlos Sainz is about 3 ‘when he decides to attempt the undercut during the 26th lap to use the Hard. Ferrari immediately goes into coverage by useing an additional set of mediums first with Carlos and then on the next lap with Charles. This is where Ferrari secures the final result. A key moment overshadowed by the excellent decisions made by the strategists.
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Using the yellow band compound for another stint will prove to be a successful move. Firstly, because after having managed to keep the positions unchanged thanks to two excellent pit stops, it also allows the Maranello drivers to take a sufficient margin against the Alpine cars, who are committed to a different strategy.
When it was time to make the second stop to use the Hard it was very important to stay ahead of Ocon and Alonso in order not to run into traffic. Which Carlos Sainz manages for about 2 ” during the 53rd lap. Different fate for Gasly who, failing to keep up with the SF21s, will find himself having to overtake the Alpines on the track after the second pit stop. Obviously the advantage provided by the new tire is such as to allow him to overtake the two without too much difficulty. However, this will result in a significant loss of time for the Ferrari duo and he will eventually finish in 7th position with a 25 gap from Carlos Sainz.
Finally a race in which everything went the right way for the Maranello garage. Everyone is looking forward to returning to see the Italian brand again fighting for the title, but in the meantime, let’s enjoy this excellent form. There is still a long way to go, but at least the tragic moments experienced in 2020 now seem only a distant memory.
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