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Carlos Sainz Blasts “Perfect Storm” of Misfortune in Qatar GP as Ferrari’s Title Push Stalls

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
December 4, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
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Carlos Sainz Blasts “Perfect Storm” of Misfortune in Qatar GP as Ferrari’s Title Push Stalls

Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - November 30, 2024 Haas' Kevin Magnussen and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. in action during qualifying REUTERS/Rula Rouhana

Carlos Sainz has branded his Qatar Grand Prix puncture as the ultimate “perfect storm,” lamenting a sequence of setbacks that left Ferrari scrambling to minimize damage in their fight against McLaren for the 2024 Constructors’ Championship.

The Spanish driver suffered a front-left puncture early in the second stint, just moments after Valtteri Bottas struck debris from Alex Albon’s loose wing mirror on the high-speed Lusail International Circuit. Sainz was forced to limp his Ferrari SF-23 around the entire 5.4-kilometer track, compounding his woes with a slow pit stop and the ill-timed emergence of the Safety Car as he exited the pits.


“It Couldn’t Have Been Worse”

Speaking candidly after the race, Sainz reflected on the nightmare scenario that left him frustrated and out of contention.

“I think we couldn’t have got it worse,” Sainz said. “We had a puncture pretty much coming out of the last corner. That meant I needed to do a full lap on a punctured tire, losing a lot of race time. Then we had a slow pit stop during the puncture change, and as soon as I came out of the pits, the Safety Car was deployed.”

The timing of the Safety Car allowed rivals to pit under yellow-flag conditions, costing Ferrari even more valuable time. “It couldn’t have been any worse,” Sainz admitted.


A Glimmer of Recovery

Despite the calamity, Sainz clawed his way back to finish in sixth place, the same position he started the race. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, secured a vital second-place finish, softening the blow for Ferrari in their intense battle with McLaren.

“I started P6, I finished P6, but with everything that happened, it feels like a small victory,” Sainz said. “I had to race with some damage, so to finish where I started is some sort of damage limitation. The team scoring maximum points with Charles was critical.”


The Puncture Puzzle

Sainz acknowledged that a mix of factors contributed to his puncture, including extreme tire wear and the notoriously sharp kerbs at Lusail.

“Everyone was running very low on the front-left tire. That exposes the tire to punctures, and then with the gravel, debris, and sharp kerbs, it could have been any of those factors,” Sainz said. “We’ll never know for sure, but it was the perfect storm.”

Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur echoed Sainz’s sentiments, suggesting debris from Albon’s wing mirror as the likely culprit. “The plan was to pit even later, but the puncture forced our hand,” Vasseur admitted.


Safety Car Saga Adds to Frustration

A key source of Sainz’s frustration was the delayed Safety Car deployment. Despite multiple punctures and yellow flags, the Safety Car was only called after significant damage had already been done.

“I wish the Safety Car had come out while I was having the puncture so no one could overtake me,” Sainz said. “Instead, I had to do a full lap on a damaged car, lose time with a slow pit stop, and then watch others benefit from the Safety Car.”

The timing of the Safety Car drew criticism from other drivers as well, with questions raised about the FIA’s decision-making process during the race.


Ferrari’s Qatar Struggles Highlight Set-Up Woes

Beyond the puncture chaos, Sainz pointed to deeper issues with Ferrari’s car set-up in Qatar. Despite adjustments, Ferrari struggled with “fundamental issues” at the high-speed circuit, leaving them vulnerable to McLaren’s pace.


Looking Ahead to Abu Dhabi

As Ferrari prepares for the season finale in Abu Dhabi, Sainz’s Qatar GP serves as a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can turn in Formula 1. With just 21 points separating Ferrari and McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship, every decision will count in what promises to be a thrilling final showdown.

“We’ll regroup and push hard in Abu Dhabi,” Sainz vowed. “This team has the resilience to bounce back, and I’ll give everything to finish the season on a high note.”

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