Strategy boss Ravin Jain was sent to the Austin podium
Carlos Sainz has credited Ferrari Formula 1 head of strategy Ravin Jain for playing a key role in helping the Italian team to return to winning form by making the right calls.
Jain was asked by Fred Vasseur to represent the team on the podium in Austin after Charles Leclerc led Sainz home in an impressive one-two finish.
Ferrari has made some strategy errors in past seasons, but has been much more sure-footed of late.
In Austin Sainz jumped Max Verstappen for second place after pitting earlier for hard tyres.
“I think full credit for Ravin and all the strategy team for the progress that’s been made in Ferrari over the last couple of years,” said Sainz. “I think it’s been important to see progress in that side. And there’s been a lot of work being done behind the scenes.
“And obviously, Ravin has played a fundamental role in that work. Like I’ve said many times, having a good car on race day always helps to make the strategy work. And I feel like this year, compared to last year, we have a very strong car on race day.
“The best example is today. A car that allows you to be the first one to box and still extend the hard tyre and still be quick on the hard tyre, and not because of being the first one to box then degrading more than the others. That is something that I’ve struggled in the past, especially last year, a lot with that.
“And yeah, Singapore, I remember boxing in lap 14 of a 70-lap race or a 60-lap race and still making it to the end. With any other car or with any other year that we’ve had, where degradation [was high] and the car was weaker in the race, this wouldn’t be possible.
“So making bold strategy moves on race day wouldn’t be as easy, and you would look more crazy by doing them. And this year, having a car that degrades less the tyres and makes you more competitive on race day also allows you more flexibility and better opportunities to play with the strategy.”
Sainz congratulated his team for the job it did in securing a one-two.
“I think everyone needs to be very happy and very proud of this weekend,” he said. “And of how we’ve recovered from a tricky middle part of the season to suddenly put ourselves in a position to dominate the race like we did today and to be clearly the fastest car on track come race day.
“I’m very happy to see this and I hope it repeats itself from here until the end of the year because it would be really nice to get another win before the end of the season.”
Regarding prospects for the last five races he said: “If I would have to bet, I would say Mexico and Vegas are good tracks based on last year. I’m basing myself a bit on last year.
“This year everything seems a bit different. But yeah, and then I think Qatar is going to be a bit our bogey track, if I would have to bet again my money and then Abu Dhabi I’m not sure.
“I’m not sure what we can achieve in Abu Dhabi, but let’s see. I just hope this pace shows itself again before the end of the season and gives me another chance of going at it.”
Adam Cooper F1 