A Rocky Start
The Spanish driver faced an uphill battle from the get-go, having been relegated from a promising second-place qualification to 12th on the grid due to a 10-place grid penalty. The initial laps of the race did little to improve his fortunes. Sainz struggled for grip and, in a moment of high tension, slid into the rear of Hamilton's Mercedes, necessitating an unscheduled pit stop to replace a damaged front wing.
The Fight Back Through the Field
Despite the setback, Sainz was undeterred. He re-entered the race at the back of the field and engaged in a fierce contest with the Aston Martin drivers and Sergio Perez's Red Bull. His persistence paid off as he clawed his way into the top-10.
The turning point came following a Safety Car period, prompted by a collision between George Russell and Max Verstappen. Sainz seized the opportunity to pit again, which set him up for a late-race charge that included a crucial overtake on Alex Albon. His efforts were further rewarded when he inherited an additional place due to Russell's five-second penalty.
Sainz Reflects on His Recovery
When asked about his recovery to sixth place, Sainz acknowledged the challenge: “Yeah, given we were nearly dead last after Lap 1, and the incident in Lap 1, it was a good recovery to P6. It wasn’t easy with the cooling of the engine, with the tyre graining to follow cars and overtake today but we managed to recover and damage limitation.”
The What-Ifs of Ferrari's Strategy
Sainz also reflected on what might have been had he not faced the grid penalty. With the pace Ferrari had shown throughout the weekend, he believed that he and teammate Charles Leclerc could have given Verstappen a run for his money. “I wish we could have been a bit further ahead or started in the first row with Charles to make Max’s life a bit more difficult,” Sainz expressed. The Ferrari driver felt that their presence at the front could have added an extra layer of excitement to the race.
Looking Ahead to Abu Dhabi
Despite the challenges faced in Las Vegas, Sainz is eager to put the weekend behind him and look forward to the next race. “I cannot wait to go to Abu Dhabi and forget this weekend,” he stated, signaling his readiness to bounce back at the upcoming Grand Prix.
Conclusion
Carlos Sainz's Las Vegas Grand Prix experience was a testament to his tenacity and skill as a driver. Overcoming a first-lap collision and a series of obstacles, he managed to salvage a strong finish for Ferrari. As the Formula 1 circus moves to Abu Dhabi, Sainz's determination to leave the difficulties of Las Vegas in the rearview mirror is clear. Fans and the team alike will be anticipating a return to form for the resilient Spaniard.
