Carlos Sainz is very disappointed with Ferrari’s result in Belgium and believes the main factor was the strategy. Starting seventh, the #55 driver immediately gained a position at the start. Then he began to wonder if a one-stop strategy would have been possible.
For George Russell, it worked. The Mercedes driver had a splendid race that delivered a double for the team. Lewis Hamilton was a bit more bitter, being critical of the strategy.
“We were in a good position, I had also gained a position, so I was very positive about this strategy,” revealed Sainz in the interview ring, where F1InGenerale was also present. “We managed to extend the stint for a bit, up to the twentieth lap. Not too long because probably a one-stop strategy seemed like a good possibility today.”
Could Ferrari really have opted for a one-stop?
“Perhaps the main factor is that we didn’t make a single stop, but not even an optimal two-stop strategy. Either we pitted too early or too late,” commented the Spaniard bitterly.
“After 20 laps, the race seemed promising. I thought I could reach the podium. Then, I finished seventh, nine seconds behind sixth. Clearly, there’s something we need to analyze. At the same time, I believe that others are faster and more competitive today. So nothing would have changed.”
The problem indeed lay in the strategy used. Ferrari decided to diversify. Charles Leclerc with mediums, Carlos Sainz with hards.
“I believe that starting with hard tires, we might have been able to extend the stint for at least another ten laps. With a two-stop strategy, perhaps pitting five or six laps earlier, we would have spent as much time as possible on the hard tire today, which was performing very well.” – he pointed out.
Carlos Sainz does not believe that Ferrari has made any progress, especially looking at the pace that Mercedes, Red Bull, and McLaren had in the race. “I think we are still missing two or three tenths,” he admitted. “With my car, I think we could have fought for the podium. When the others then fitted the hards, we saw their pace. Even though my last stint was fast and competitive, it was not enough.” – the Spanish driver concluded at the end of the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa.
Source: f1ingenerale
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