Carlos Sainz is sure Ferrari had the “best intentions” after another questionable strategy call at the French Grand Prix.
Starting P19 due to an engine penalty, the Spaniard worked his way up to third on the alternate strategy of starting on Hard tyres before switching to the Mediums.
However, after pitting at the same time as the rest during a Safety Car period caused by teammate Charles Leclerc’s crash, there was uncertainty over if Sainz’s tyres would make it to the finish.
As a result, Ferrari took no chances and pitted him meaning a potential podium finish became P5 with the fastest lap.
“I am sure when they show me the numbers and data from the tyres, they strongly believe I would not have made it to the end,” Sainz commented post-race at Paul Ricard.
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“We have to trust the numbers because this is what we base our strategies on.
“I am sure they did this with the best intentions, when you are P3 in a podium position after starting last, the last thing you want to do is box, get out of the way and lose 32 seconds in the pit stop.
“Maybe that was why I was willing to take some more risk there. The team in the end played it safe with the tyres which I totally understand and we will have to analyse together.”
Sainz also admitted some confusion may have come from his own view on a second pit-stop changing once he passed Perez, with the team calling him in as he ran side-by-side with the Red Bull.
“I think they were convinced that was a good lap to stop even with the battle with Checo,” said Sainz.
What a show Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez put on for us! ?
With Carlos showing off his strong multi-tasking skills too ??#FrenchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/9wqX49NW95
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 24, 2022
“With the team, I think it is a typical discussion. You are on a two-stop but suddenly you realise are in P4 or P3, trying to make it to the end, the team ask you can you make it to the end and I am like ‘let me think about it’ because I needed to feel the tyre and see what could happen.
“In the end, I was the one who told them I don’t think it is possible but then I passed Checo and in clean air and P3, I say let’s try because I knew the pit stop would cost me 32 seconds.
“In the end, they had more numbers than me so I followed the instruction of pitting and I am sure that we will analyse it together and they will explain to me why they took that decision and the team is in the best position to make the decision.”
Following questionable decisions with Charles Leclerc in Monaco and Silverstone, Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto defended his team’s strategy call.
“We are pretty sure it was the right choice. At the time, he was short on life with wear and tyres so it could have been really risky to go to the end,” he told Sky Sports.
“We don’t think he would have had the pace to open the gap to five seconds because he had a five-second penalty at the time.
“By stopping, he did the fastest lap, which is certainly a point. That was the safest and right decision to take.”