Carlos Sainz Jr, Ferrari driver, had a stroke of luck during the Monaco Grand Prix in Formula 1. McLaren believes Sainz benefited from several fortuitous events that eventually led him to finish on the podium.
At the start of the race, Sainz attempted to pass Oscar Piastri on the inside of Turn 1. However, a slight touch on the exit caused a puncture in Sainz’s front left tire.
As a result, Sainz struggled to control his Ferrari SF-24 through Casino Square and it seemed like his chances of a good result were over. But then, a collision at the back of the pack led to a red flag.
During the interruption, Lando Norris moved up to third place, benefiting from Sainz’s misfortune. However, Zhou Guanyu from the Sauber team had not completed the first sector of the race.
Therefore, according to the FIA, the order had to be determined from the second line of the Safety Car. This meant Sainz returned to his original starting position for the restart.
Andrea Stella, McLaren team principal, acknowledges that the FIA made the correct decision based on the regulations. However, Stella also suggests that a change in the rules should be considered.
Stella stated: “It is consistent with previous cases where the Safety Car Line Two is used when sector time is not available. I don’t think using mini sectors is a good way to handle this situation. The reason Carlos benefited today was because Zhou had not crossed the sector time when the race was interrupted.”
Norris was more upset about losing a podium place, describing it as “unfair” that Sainz was absolved of what happened on the first lap.
“I don’t think it’s the most equitable thing,” Norris said.
“But I am sure there were moments in the past where maybe I got lucky with that and they could have fixed the car a little or something like that.
“When you think about it straightforward, it’s frustrating and unfair, that because someone makes a mistake and because of a certain number of cars or something like that.
“Whatever the rule, he didn’t cross the line before the red flag and so on, he undoes that mistake and makes a pit stop for free. It’s unfair.”
Meanwhile, Stella argued that Sainz could have been penalized for the slight collision at Sainte Devote, which caused Piastri damage of up to 0.25 seconds per lap.
“He also received a lenient approach from the stewards because the collision at turn one obviously caused significant damage to Oscar’s car,” he explained.
The Italian was also puzzled about how Sainz avoided a penalty when he obstructed Alex Albon’s Williams at the Piscine chicane during qualifying.
Stella pointed out how Piastri was penalized in Imola last weekend, as he obstructed Kevin Magnussen’s Haas, causing the Australian to drop from second place to fifth.
“I think that sums up well with yesterday’s obstruction,” Stella continued.
“Like I said, lucky for Carlos, it earned him a podium, we are happy for him.
“But, especially with yesterday’s obstruction, we are still a bit perplexed about the difference between yesterday and Imola.”
© 2024
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