Carlos Sainz could suffer his first engine penalty in France

In Austria about ten days ago, Charles Leclerc found his smile again by winning his first Grand Prix, three months to the day after his last victory in Australia (April 10). On the other side of the garage Team Ferrari, the party was a little less fun and for good reason. So about to attack Max Verstappen and thus offer a double to the Reds, Carlos Sainz saw his engine catch fire and even explode. The Spaniard thus went from joy to sadness in the snap of his fingers. A situation which could have repercussions on his French Grand Prix.

La F1-75 from Carlos Sainz finished on fire in Austria. ©DPPI/A. Vincent

Sainz faces a dilemma

The abandonment of Carlos Sainz Red Bull Ring indeed puts Ferrari face to face with a dilemma. For the meeting at Paul-Ricard this weekend, the thinking heads of Maranello will have to choose between an engine already used or a powertrain rebuilt for the Madrilenian's F1-75.

If Carlos Sainz and the leaders of the Scuderia opt for the first choice, the Spaniard will have a very classic weekend and will be able to fight for the podium and why not victory. However, if Ferrari decides to mount a new power unit on its car, Charles Leclerc's teammate will not escape a start from the back of the grid since he would exceed the FIA ​​engine allowance.

The state of Carlos Sainz's F1-75 after a new mechanical problem with the Ferrari engine. ©DPPI/A. Vincent

From a strategic point of view, Ferrari has every interest in setting up a 4^e engine at the French Grand Prix if she planned to do so before the summer break. Le Castellet indeed offers a better configuration for getting back up in the event of starting from the back of the grid. With the long straight of the Mistral and the Signes bend at the end, the overtaking opportunities on the Paul-Ricard are real. On the contrary, the Hungaroring, where the next and last Grand Prix will take place before the August break, would not allow Carlos Sainz to come back as easily as in the Var. The Hungarian track is certainly fast but the possibilities for overtaking are not numerous, if not very rare. It's up to the Reds to make the right decision even if the balance seems strongly towards an engine change this weekend for the second part of the season.

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