[ad_1]
Forward of the Australian Grand Prix, the temper round Ferrari was fairly constructive, regardless of the tough begin to their 2023 Method 1 season. Previous to qualifying, reserve driver Robert Shwartzman was a part of the protection on F1TV, and he described the sensation across the staff as “superb.”
That’s definitely not the case following the Grand Prix itself.
Charles Leclerc was knocked out of the race on the opening lap, after getting caught in a collision with Lance Stroll that despatched Leclerc’s SF-23 into the gravel and out of the race.
Then it appeared like Carlos Sainz Jr. was going to fall sufferer to a little bit of unhealthy luck. With Sainz working inside the highest 5, Ferrari made the choice to deliver him into the pits when a digital security automotive got here out following Alex Albon crashing into the barrier and out of the Grand Prix. The considering was that Sainz may change to the exhausting compound and go the space with out one other cease.
Ferrari was not alone in making that call. Mercedes introduced in race chief George Russell, who made the identical change to the hards.
Sadly, the timing went from excellent, to flawed, by no fault of both staff. Race officers then introduced out the pink flag, citing gravel on the observe, and each different staff bought to make the identical change below pink flag situations. Russell was now in seventh, and the Ferrari driver was outdoors the highest ten.
Each Sainz, and Russell, had given up good observe place and obtained no benefit.
Nevertheless, whereas Russell would quickly retire after a failure, Sainz managed to cost his method by the sector. That included this unimaginable overtake of Pierre Gasly, with Sainz hitting the Alpine driver with an ideal dummy transfer:
When the race was stopped for an additional pink flag with only a few laps remaining, the Ferrari driver was fourth, and in place to push for a podium.
Maybe he pushed a bit too exhausting.
Sainz collided with Fernando Alonso simply after the restart, sending the Aston Martin driver into the gravel. That touched off a series response of occasions that will see Gasly and Esteban Ocon collide, knocking each Alpines out of the Grand Prix:
The pink flag got here out but once more and everybody from the groups, the followers in Melbourne, and bleary-eyed sports activities writers in america, puzzled how race officers would deal with the end. Would there be one other standing begin? Would the race end below a yellow flag?
Finally, race officers set the order for the restart, which might happen below a security automotive.
In addition they handed down a five-second penalty to Sainz, dropping him out of the factors.
As you may count on, it was a bitter blow for the Ferrari driver:
Max Verstappen took the checkered flag, and Ferrari took house nothing to point out for his or her efforts. Worse nonetheless, the staff now sit in fourth place within the Constructors’ standings, effectively behind Pink Bull, and 30 factors behind Mercedes, who sit in third place:
Nonetheless, the staff did their finest to place a constructive spin on the weekend.
“It was unlucky to finish the race this fashion as we speak, nevertheless it was a racing incident and I don’t suppose that we may have accomplished something in another way,” mentioned Leclerc after the Grand Prix. “Disappointing, however on to the subsequent one the place I hope issues will run extra easily once more.”
“I had a superb begin and felt assured on the medium tyre however we have been unfortunate, pitting simply earlier than they introduced out the primary pink flag and I dropped all the way down to P11. From there I managed to tug off a superb comeback with good overtakes and strong tempo, so for that I’m completely satisfied,” mentioned Sainz.
“It was a superb race total however the penalty ruined all the trouble and I don’t agree with it,” he added. “The frustration I really feel proper now might be tough to digest, however I’ll attempt to suppose solely of the positives from as we speak and concentrate on the subsequent race.”
New Workforce Principal Frédéric Vasseur, who took over from Mattia Binotto this previous winter, talked concerning the “progress” the staff has made by three races.
“At present’s end result, not scoring factors, doesn’t mirror the progress now we have made as a staff. We have now taken a step ahead when it comes to pure efficiency and much more importantly, we had an honest and constant race tempo on the varied tyre compounds, together with the exhausting. Solely yesterday’s qualifying didn’t match our potential.”
“Our preliminary response is one among frustration, with Charles clearly unfortunate to be concerned in a racing incident at the beginning. It was a superb name to deliver Carlos in below the primary Security Automobile, however following the pink flag, he needed to begin once more from P11, from which he recovered very effectively,” added Vasseur. “The penalty had a devastating impact on the ultimate end result for him however regardless of this, we return to Maranello realizing that we’re transferring in the correct course and we now have three weeks to maintain engaged on optimising and updating the SF-23 for the approaching races.”
Ferrari now has an prolonged break to work on the SF-23, earlier than attempting to proper the ship at Baku on the finish of the month.
[ad_2]
No Comment! Be the first one.