Carlos Sainz Jr from Spain, driving for Ferrari SF-24, and Charles Leclerc from Monaco, also driving for Ferrari SF-24, competed in Round 1 of the Formula 1 World Championship, Bahrain Grand Prix on March 2, 2024. During the race, Sainz faced several issues with the brakes of his car, but still managed to secure a third place.
Sainz’s teammate, Leclerc, experienced a significant imbalance in brake temperature at the start of the race, affecting his performance in the early stages. However, the two Ferrari cars swapped positions on the track and Sainz managed to overtake George Russell and secure a place on the podium alongside the two Red Bull drivers.
Sainz explained how he dealt with the brake issues in his SF-24. He strategically chose when to attack other cars and when to run in clean air to mitigate the problems. He mentioned feeling vibrations in the brakes and a long pedal during the first stint and the beginning of the second stint, especially when driving in traffic. To address this, he adjusted his driving technique by moving slightly straight to cool down the overheated side of the brakes. As a result, the vibrations improved, allowing him to make overtakes and move forward.
Sainz admitted that the start of the race was challenging due to brake limitations. However, once everything stabilized, he was able to find his rhythm, make overtakes, and compete for a podium position. He also mentioned that he was unsure of the severity of Leclerc’s brake issues, as he was 14 seconds behind him. Sainz believed that the problem could not have been discovered during testing, as it required prolonged exposure to the hot air from multiple cars. He suggested that Ferrari may need to be more cautious with cooling in future races to avoid similar issues.
In summary, Sainz faced challenges related to brakes during the Bahrain Grand Prix, but managed to overcome them through strategic driving and adjustments. He emphasized the need for caution and additional margin in handling brake issues in future races.
