Carlos Sainz blames Ferrari’s failed double-stack strategy for triggering additional penalties

Sainz received a 10-second penalty and finished 6th at the Austrian Grand Prix despite qualifying in P3.

Carlos Sainz blames Ferrari’s failed double-stack strategy for triggering additional penalties

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz (Image credit: F1)

Carlos Sainz came in sixth at the Austrian GP after receiving penalties for track limit violations. Sainz pressured teammate Charles Leclerc for second place during the initial stages of the race. However, it was decided by the team that the two Ferraris would not fight for position. This decision left Sainz vulnerable during an early virtual safety car period, causing him to lose three places. Post-race Carlos Sainz expressed his frustration with Ferrari’s strategy.

Sainz mentioned that he performed well in the first and second stints. However, the second stint was affected by pitting behind Charles Leclerc and the virtual safety car’s timing. He claims that this cost him six to seven seconds. The Spaniard also explained that losing positions and receiving track limit penalties compromised his race.

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“I was very quick on the first and second stint,” said the Spaniard. “The second stint was already compromised by the first stop, pitting behind Charles and catching the virtual safety car ending,” he further emphasized. “My race was compromised from that point onwards. But if I look at the pace, I was very quick out there,” Sainz stated.

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Also read: Ferrari FORBIDS Carlos Sainz from overtaking Charles Leclerc at Austrian GP gives him number 2 driver treatment yet again

Carlos Sainz was disappointed with the race outcome despite ‘playing the team game’ at the Austrian GP

Carlos Sainz’at the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix (Image credit: F1)

After the VSC ended, Carlos Sainz fell behind Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, and Sergio Perez. The Mercedes and McLaren were easy to target for Carlos Ferrari. However, he failed to overtake Perez’s Red Bull, putting him in 4th place, where he finished the race. An investigation after the race led to an additional 10-second penalty for Sainz, pushing him down to sixth place behind Norris and Fernando Alonso.

Sainz expressed frustration with the race outcome, feeling let down despite a strong pace on medium tires and playing as a team. He emphasized the disappointment and mentioned his good performance: going fast, overtaking well, and defending strongly. However, fourth place was not his desired result.

“Obviously frustrated with the final outcome after having such a strong pace on the medium [tyres], feeling also like I was playing the team game and not getting rewarded with a good result. It leaves you always with a sour feeling. In the end P4 is not what I want,” the Ferrari driver concluded.

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