Formula 1 drivers must be able to jump out of the car within a certain time. For example, after returning from injury, it is even measured. Of course, sometimes they are against the very circumstances of the incident. Sainz was able to get out of the car, but it started backing up.
“It wasn’t an ideal situation because I could see in the mirrors that the car was on fire, but at the same time I was hitting the brakes,” said Sainz, as quoted by RaceFans.
“As soon as I tried to jump out, I saw the car going backwards and I didn’t want to leave the car completely free, out of control, going backwards and jumping out. I called the marshals to come to my aid and help me put something under the tires to keep the car from going down. But I think the whole process was a bit slow.’
Finally, Sainz jumped out of the car. Initially, small flames licked even the cockpit itself. Of course, the rider has a fireproof suit, but no one wants to wait too long near the flames.
“At one point there was so much fire that I had to jump out anyway. I think it was about the time the first marshal came and stopped the car.’
Sainz said the incident “definitely needs to be looked at” to consider “what we could have done a little bit quicker because it wasn’t the easiest situation.”
Ferrari is looking for the cause
“I think we’ve only had two engine failures so far,” said Mattia Binotto after the race. “Obviously more than two for the propulsion unit, but two for the internal combustion engine.”
Binotto said that early indications were that Sainz’s failure had the same cause as Leclerc’s previous one in Baku. In this case, the resignation was not so spectacular, but even more painful.
Ferrari said at the time: “One of the possible causes of the breakdown is that it occurred as a result of a problem in Spain (Leclerc had to retire there too due to a PJ problem). We are now working on countermeasures to strengthen the aggregate and the situation is under control.”
As it seems, Ferrari does not have much control over the situation yet. “Obviously we have to look at what happened today. Is this the same cause we already had in Baku with Charles? It is very likely.’
According to Binotto, a solution is being worked on and will hopefully be “very soon”.
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