Sainz surprised by Ferrari's lack of pace in Jeddah

At the gates of the Top 5 in Saudi Arabia, the Spaniard did not hide his frustration at the end of a race where he could not hope for anything.

Published on 20/03/2023 à 14:03

Gonzalo Forbes

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Sainz surprised by Ferrari's lack of pace in Jeddah

Carlos Sainz was a little too alone in the race. © Dutch Photo Agency / DPPI

Powerless in the face ofAston Martin de Fernando Alonso in Bahrain two weeks ago, Carlos Sainz this time stumbled upon the Mercedes in Saudi Arabia where Ferrari considerably lacked pace. Trapped by the Safety Car which allowed George Russell to pass in front and then overtaken by Lewis Hamilton, the Madrilenian could not hope for better than a discreet 6e rather bitter taste.

« It wasn't the best timing (concerning the Safety Car), conceded the Scuderia driver. We were trying to do the undercut on Stroll and we were starting to have a little more pace after suffering in the dirty air behind him but honestly the result wouldn't have really changed."

Surprised by the intervention of the safety car, Carlos Sainz then experienced a drop in performance with his SF-23 during the stint on hard tires. Without the pace necessary to counter the Mercedes, the Hispanic was content to reach the finish without damaging his car. “ The last relay proves that we are not where we would like to beHe says. We have more degradation than the Mercedes and the Aston Martins and we lack pace.

I'm a little surprised because after Friday I thought we had a chance to be the second force. This hard relay shows that we still have a lot of work to do. » Frédéric Vasseur and his men have two weeks before the next race (Australia, March 31-April 2) to find a solution and get back into the championship.

ALSO READ > Leclerc says Ferrari has 'a lot, really a lot' of work to do after Jeddah

Gonzalo Forbes

In charge of promotion formulas (F2, F3, FRECA, F4...). Carried by the grace of Franco Colapinto.

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