Carlos Sainz believes Ferrari’s improved strategic calls in 2024 derive from having a Formula 1 car which provides greater freedom due to more controlled tyre degradation.
Ferrari revamped its car concept for this term as it strived to eradicate the limitations that saw the SF-24’s predecessor unable to replicate strong one-lap pace in race trim.
The Italian marque has since emerged as Red Bull’s most consistent contender in the nascent stages of the campaign, landing podiums in each of the first four rounds.
Despite starting fourth and eighth in Japan, Ferrari recovered to third and fourth as alternate strategies enabled both Sainz and Leclerc to beat McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Leclerc executed a remarkable one-stop to move up four places, while Sainz ran an extended middle stint and capitalised on his fresher rubber to charge through to third.
Sainz suspects that Ferrari’s appearance as a calmer and methodical outfit on the operational side is a testament to its revised car offering more flexible race scenarios.
“I think we’ve made progress on strategy over the last three years, progressively, but if you see a jump this year on strategy, it’s purely down to the car,” Sainz explained.
“I think just having a car that allows you to have flexibility on strategy is something that last year we couldn’t have. So, we were boxed in to stop at certain laps. We couldn’t extend.
“We had so much deg that it looked always like people could extend and then come back on us on a harder tyre.
“Last year, we were just zero flexible and we couldn’t do anything without racing. So it looked like we were not getting the strategy right a lot of times.
“But when you have a car that is better on tyres, two drivers that can push on the car more often and you have that extra flexibility, your strategy also looks better.
“And with this, I’m not underestimating the progress we’ve done. It’s just I really think this helps a lot.”
Although he was told on the eve of the season that his Ferrari contract wouldn’t be renewed, Sainz has rebounded to deliver podiums in the three races he’s competed in.
The Spaniard admits that Ferrari’s renewed competitiveness this season with a more compliant machine has helped him to sustain his strongest start to an F1 season.
Asked to expand on the changes that had been made to inspire his rise from sixth in Suzuka last September to third place, Sainz replied: “We just simply improved the car.
“People also might think, you know, I’m in a better moment driving and everything, but the reality is just in Formula 1, a car is very important. Also, you know, having a good car.
“And also this year, I’m in a very good moment. I’m driving at a high level, but at the same time, having a car that just allows you to go a bit longer, allows you to be a bit closer in dirty air and play around a bit more with strategy, just allows you to shine a bit more, you know, and that’s why it’s important in the career of a driver also to be in a car, because last year in the races we looked like we were always going backwards, always defending. We were terrible with tyre management and that was difficult to do good races.
“This year, suddenly three races, two podiums, a lot of overtaking, a win. It’s a completely different picture. It shows that in this sport that is very important too.”
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