Carlos Sainz experienced a frustrating Qatar Grand Prix. Initially, the Ferrari driver had prospects for a strong result, but his race ultimately ended in disappointment. Debris on the track caused a flat tire, forcing him to abandon a potential podium position. In the final stages, Sainz tried to maximize his performance by overtaking Pierre Gasly’s Alpine, but he could not advance beyond sixth place.
Poor Luck Defines the Race
The crucial setback for Sainz came after Valtteri Bottas ran over a broken mirror, littering the track with debris. One of these pieces proved fatal for Sainz’s Ferrari. The team had to quickly adjust their strategy, as Ferrari team boss Frédéric Vasseur later explained. “We had planned to pit later,” Vasseur told the media after the race. “But due to the flat tire, we had to bring one car in immediately, while the other had to make an unplanned stop due to the safety car. The original idea was to run longer on the tires.”
Debris or Wear?
The debate about the virtual safety car, which perhaps should have been deployed, was reignited by questions about its cause. Was it purely wear and tear or the debris on the track? Vasseur was clear about this. “Of course, tire wear always plays a role, but Carlos’s flat tire was caused by debris.” For the Spaniard, it was not a matter of strategy, but bad luck.
