Carlos Sainz believes it was “quite clear” that Charles Leclerc’s defensive move at the start of Formula 1’s Chinese Grand Prix cost both Ferrari drivers vital race time.
Ferrari had retained optimism that its stronger race pace would enable Leclerc and Sainz to climb from sixth and seventh on the grid to contest the podium positions.
However, the Ferrari pair dropped behind Mercedes’ George Russell and Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas when Leclerc hung Sainz out on the outside at Turn 1 on the first lap.
Leclerc capitalised on pitting under a Virtual Safety Car to take fourth place on a one-stop, while Sainz was made to run an extended stint having missed that chance.
Sainz, whose flawless podium record in 2024 came to an end, has admitted he was pleased to salvage fifth with the compromised race plan he was made to execute.
“I think given how what our pace was today, I think better than P5 was not possible,” Sainz said.
“Also we had a very poor start with a situation there in Turn 1 and 2 that cost both cars two positions. From there on we were just playing catch up.
“We had to box very early for the Hard and then we had to one-stop from Lap 18 or something like this
“We went forever on the Hard tyre, which we were never going to go much more forward. But at least we saved P5, given the pace of the car this weekend and the decisions we took.
“And the situation after the start, I think it was the maximum we could achieve.”
The two Ferrari drivers had touched in the Sprint earlier in the weekend, prompting Leclerc to describe Sainz’s driving as “over the limit” before discussions were held.
Asked whether he considered it a retaliation to that, Sainz replied: “I prefer not to comment, but it’s quite clear that it cost us two positions. So, it didn’t help either of us.”
The intervention of the Safety Car placed Leclerc on Lando Norris’ tail, but he was unable to maintain pace with the McLaren and then dropped behind Sergio Perez.
“I think McLaren was just stronger this weekend,” Sainz admitted. “There’s nothing really to comment apart from that they just were faster in every condition, qualifying and race.
“I think there will be tracks where we will be stronger, tracks where the McLaren is stronger.
“We just need to go track by track and wait for that famous upgrade that hopefully will give us some more performance.”
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