Every Formula 1 grand prix has some tactical hubs fundamental, which clearly have direct repercussions on the final result. And so was the Bahrain Grand Prix, which Ferrari concluded triumphantly with a return to victory after almost two and a half years of waiting. In the traditional post-race press conference dedicated to the first three classified riders, both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz explained two choices made by the pit wall of the Prancing Horse, that relating to the tires mounted at the start and that of betting on a two-stop race, to difference of the three of Max Verstappen’s Red Bull (diversification later rendered useless by the entry of the Safety Car).
• Starting tires (Leclerc Soft new, Sainz soft used)
Charles Leclerc:It was just a matter of having a slightly different strategy between our two cars, hoping to put Max in a somewhat difficult situation. And for Carlos to try to attack him at the end of the race for the strategic difference. I don’t think another strategy was possible for Carlos. I didn’t see the race but I guess it wasn’t possible because we both did Soft-Soft-Media. In short, the will was that of slightly differentiate strategies between the two machines “.
Carlos Sainz: “As Charles said, that was the plan, which was to make sure we were on a different strategy than Max, as they too wanted to have to choose between new or used tires. We chose the used one and this probably left me too far behind in the first stint. Charles was pushing hard and Max with the used tires was managing to keep up with him, while I had the same problems the whole weekend, not having the right feeling with the car. I didn’t manage the tires very well and I struggled with the rear ”.
• The two stops
Charles Leclerc: “Verstappen was going for a three stop strategy. At that moment I felt good on my tires, and I could go all the way to the end. Obviously when they stopped I was a bit worried and I turned to the team. I asked if it wasn’t better to cover the Red Bull choice, to stop us too and stay ahead safely. But they told me from the pits to stay out. And I just accepted. The team has more data available than I have in the car. They were very confident to make this choice and they gave me the confidence to continue with my work and bring the car to the finish line. I just wanted to make sure they had thought through all the scenarios before making the decision ”.
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