French GP Strategy Sainz and Ferrari's Decisive Moment

Carlos Sainz and Ferrari’s French Grand Prix: A Strategic Conundrum

The 2022 French Grand Prix at Circuit Paul Ricard delivered a dramatic narrative, with Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jnr at the heart of a contentious strategic debate. His team’s decision to call him in for a second pit stop, moments after he had executed a brilliant overtake for third position, sparked widespread discussion and ultimately appeared to cost him a well-deserved podium finish. This article delves deep into the radio exchanges and strategic considerations that shaped Sainz’s race, highlighting the complexities and pressures faced by both driver and team in the heat of Formula 1 competition.

The initial impression, amplified by the television broadcast, suggested that Ferrari’s pit wall issued the “box now” command precisely as Sainz was making his move on Sergio Perez. While this specific timing was later clarified to be a consequence of broadcast delays, the underlying indecision and hesitation from Ferrari throughout the race certainly played a pivotal role. Sainz himself had urged his team to make a strategic call much earlier, emphasizing the critical need for timely decisions, yet the crucial second stop came several laps after his initial prompt. This delay, regardless of the ultimate correctness of the decision to pit, undeniably had significant ramifications for his final race position.

Sainz’s Remarkable Recovery: From Back Row to Contender

Sainz’s French Grand Prix challenge began with an uphill battle, starting 19th on the grid due to penalties. The initial laps were critical, as he found himself immediately challenged by Kevin Magnussen, the only driver behind him at the start. Sainz, commencing on the more durable hard tyres while most rivals opted for mediums, faced the immediate task of bringing his tyres into their optimal operating window, a process often slower for the hard compound. His tenacity and skill, however, were immediately evident as he began his charge through the field.

Lap: 1 Position: 18 Lap time: 1’55.014
Adami	K2 off.
Lap: 2 Position: 16 Lap time: 1’41.355
Adami	Think about mode X. Think about mode X, it’s available.
Lap: 3 Position: 15 Lap time: 1’39.779
Adami	Good job there. DRS enabled. Currently P15.
Adami	Car behind 1.1 second.
Lap: 4 Position: 14 Lap time: 1’40.095

Sainz started his day on the back row of the grid, facing a formidable challenge.

Within just five laps, Sainz had already made significant gains, deftly overtaking drivers such as Yuki Tsunoda (who had an incident with Esteban Ocon), Zhou Guanyu, Nicholas Latifi, Valtteri Bottas, Pierre Gasly, Mick Schumacher, and Alexander Albon. However, as his hard tyres reached their operating temperature, a new challenge emerged: overheating. This early feedback from Sainz underscored the delicate balance required in tyre management and foreshadowed the strategic dilemmas that would later unfold.

Lap: 5 Position: 13 Lap time: 1’40.063
Adami	Good progress these. P13. Magnussen 1.8 in front.
Lap: 6 Position: 13 Lap time: 1’39.942
Adami	Think about FS1 if it makes sense for turn 10.
Lap: 7 Position: 13 Lap time: 1’40.380
Adami	Magnussen car in front, one second in front, Magnussen lap time 40.3.
Sainz	I don’t have grip.
Adami	Copy that. Diff mid plus one.
Sainz	Everyone on medium quick.
Adami	Understood.
Adami	Temperature-wise, tyres are ready.
Sainz	Yeah but they’re overheating already.
Adami	Understood.
Adami	Brake shape plus one, brake shape plus one.
Adami	Try to let them down cool down, increase [lift and coast] if you can.

The Ferrari showcased impressive pace, carving through the field in the opening laps.

Ferrari had initially hoped that Kevin Magnussen’s decision to pursue a two-stop strategy would prompt other teams to follow suit, thereby clearing the track for Sainz and simplifying his ascent. However, these hopes were largely dashed as Magnussen’s teammate was the only other driver to adopt a similar approach, leaving Sainz to contend with traffic on a challenging one-stop strategy. The early stages also saw Max Verstappen’s aggressive pressure on Charles Leclerc, which prompted Red Bull to bring Verstappen in for an early pit stop, adding another layer of complexity to Ferrari’s strategic calculations.

Lap: 8 Position: 12 Lap time: 1’40.042
Adami	Charles lap time 39.3, 39.3. Update on tyre phase when you can.
Adami	The pace is good, you are doing to do the job.
Lap: 9 Position: 12 Lap time: 1’40.240
Sainz	It doesn’t feel that way but okay.
Adami	And Magnussen boxed. So hopefully they trigger the pit stops.
Adami	If the traffic makes a big difference there you have four cars: Ocon, Ricciardo, Stroll and Vettel.
Lap: 10 Position: 12 Lap time: 1’40.712
Sainz	DRS train.
Adami	Copy.
Lap: 11 Position: 12 Lap time: 1’40.664

Despite the challenges, Sainz continued his relentless charge, methodically picking off his competitors. He moved into the points-paying positions by expertly navigating through the Aston Martin drivers, demonstrating both raw speed and strategic awareness. His feedback to the team consistently highlighted the difficulties with his current tyres, setting the stage for potential adjustments.

Lap: 12 Position: 11 Lap time: 1’40.397
Adami	Good job there. Lap 11 completed. Charles lap time 39.3.
Lap: 13 Position: 10 Lap time: 1’40.468
Adami	No DRS for Stroll.
Adami	Making good progress there. Ricciardo next. 1.7 in front. Ricciardo on medium. 40.5.
Adami	Think about [unclear]
Lap: 14 Position: 10 Lap time: 1’40.435
Adami	Ricciardo no DRS. Ocon in front is three seconds in front of him.
Lap: 15 Position: 10 Lap time: 1’40.116
Adami	Charles lap time 39.0. Ricciardo 40.9, 40.9.
Adami	We have completed 14 laps, 14.
Sainz	This tyre is not good.
Adami	We prefer Plan B for Bravo. We prefer Plan B.
Sainz	Copy.

Lap: 16 Position: 10 Lap time: 1’40.359
Adami	We believe it’s all down to overheating for tyres, obviously.
Lap: 17 Position: 9 Lap time: 1’40.049
Sainz	It’s taking me like two or three laps to pass every car.
Adami	Yeah, understood. Copy that. try to recover temperatures with more [lift-and-coast], eventually. Ocon car in front, 2.4.
Adami	Max has stopped for new hard and he’s at turn one now.

Leclerc’s Crash and Sainz’s Safety Car Pit Stop: A Double-Edged Sword

Leclerc’s crash dramatically altered the race dynamics for Ferrari.

The race took a dramatic and unforeseen turn when Charles Leclerc, leading the Grand Prix, crashed out at Turn 11. The deployment of the Safety Car presented both an opportunity and a challenge for Sainz. Ferrari seized this low-cost pit stop window to switch Sainz from his struggling hard tyres to a fresh set of medium compounds, a move that promised improved pace. However, this decision simultaneously committed him to a very long second stint on the mediums, raising questions about tyre longevity and potential performance drop-off towards the end of the race.

Adami	Charles crashed at turn 11. Let me know for flap adjust.
Sainz	Yeah. I don’t know. I’m a bit puzzled with the balance.
Adami	Okay. Let me know.
Adami	Pit confirm and box.
Sainz	Yeah. I’ll take one.

Adding insult to injury, Ferrari executed an unsafe release during this pit stop, sending Sainz directly into the path of Alexander Albon in the bustling pit lane. Despite a last-second warning from his engineer, Sainz had minimal time to react, leading to a dangerous situation. While Sainz tried to reassure the team over the radio that he had left sufficient space, the race stewards disagreed, imposing a five-second time penalty. This penalty would later become a critical factor in Ferrari’s subsequent strategic quandaries.

Adami	Hold on brakes and K2. Traffic, traffic, traffic!
Lap: 19 Position: 8 Lap time: 2’20.344
Sainz	It was okay. It was bit close.
Adami	Try and cool down the car. Try and cool the car down. [unclear] the Safety Car line. No cars out. Charge on and cool the car.
Adami	Charge button off.
Sainz	I left the space there, going out. I did everything I could.
Adami	Understood. And plan D, plan D for delta right now.
Sainz	Yeah makes sense.
Adami	And Charles lost the rear entry turn 11. Mid-corner turn 11. Mode FW and charge button off.

Even under Safety Car conditions, Sainz immediately felt the improved performance of his new medium tyres. Despite brief concerns about his front wing balance, which the team quickly allayed with data confirmation, he was eager to resume his charge through the field, now with a superior compound and renewed confidence.

Sainz	Yeah this tyre already feels a lot better.
Adami	Charge button off and forward on brake balance. And work on your front tyres.
Sainz	Which position, are we?
Lap: 20 Position: 8 Lap time: 2’20.535
Adami	P10.
Sainz	How much did we lose at the pit stop? What position?
Adami	Safety Car in this lap. Prepare your tyres. And we are P8. We are P8.
Sainz	Who are the leaders? In front of these three, yeah?
Adami	…in front of those cars. Safety Car approaching turn eight and mode race. Charge on and will be only K2 on for the restart. And reset your toggle position to the middle.
Sainz	Why do I feel very little front wing? Check the front wing, there’s very little aero balance.
Adami	Understood. And brake shape zero. Safety Car exiting turn 11 and Verstappen approaching turn 11.
Adami	And all is okay from data. Can push.

The medium tyres proved to be a far better compound for Sainz and his Ferrari.

Sainz Unleashed: A Charge Through the Field

With the Safety Car period concluding, Sainz was unleashed. Within a mere handful of laps, he carved his way past the McLarens and Fernando Alonso, showcasing blistering pace. His lap times were now consistently matching, and at times even exceeding, those of race leader Max Verstappen, a testament to his driving prowess and the improved performance of the medium tyres. This surge in performance brought him firmly into contention for a strong points finish, and even a podium.

Lap: 21 Position: 6 Lap time: 1’38.725
Adami	Alonso next and you are in the race.
Adami	Try to bring the tyres in, even if you are fighting.
Sainz	Yeah, I’m trying.
Adami	Copy.
Lap: 22 Position: 5 Lap time: 1’38.744
Adami	[State of charge] seven.
Adami	[Unclear] when you can.
Adami	Alonso 0.4 behind. FS1, consider.
Adami	Stay in [state of charge] seven, should be enough.
Sainz	Talk to me about this tyre.
Lap: 23 Position: 5 Lap time: 1’38.393
Adami	Try to bring them in nicely. You are P5, Verstappen 37.7 on hard.
Lap: 24 Position: 5 Lap time: 1’37.941
Adami	Increase [lift-and-coast] for better tyres and FS1 or that.

Inevitably, the earlier unsafe release from the pits resulted in a penalty. When Adami mistakenly announced it as a “stop and go,” Sainz, ever sharp, immediately corrected him, clarifying it as a five-second time penalty to be served at his next pit stop, not an immediate drive-through. This keen awareness underscored his focus and determination.

Lap: 25 Position: 5 Lap time: 1’38.128
Adami	Unfortunately we have a five-second stop and go penalty, we are serving it at the next pit stop.
Sainz	It’s not stop-and-go…
Adami	Five-second penalty, yeah, five-second penalty.
Sainz	I am quicker than these guys, no?
Adami	Yes you are quicker, we are in the race.
Adami	Verstappen 38.3.

Sainz confidently demoted Russell for fourth place, displaying his exceptional pace.

By lap 26, Sainz was breathing down George Russell’s neck. While it took him a few intense laps to find a way past the Mercedes driver, his eventual overtake was clinical. With Russell cleared, Sainz set his sights on the next target: Sergio Perez, who held a provisional podium spot. The stage was set for a thrilling chase.

Lap: 26 Position: 5 Lap time: 1’37.889
Adami	Russell 39.0, let’s go hunting.
Adami	Now Russell reporting a lot of understeer at turn four.
Lap: 27 Position: 5 Lap time: 1’38.043
Adami	Tyres are ready, you can push on them.
Lap: 28 Position: 5 Lap time: 1’38.320
Adami	Verstappen 37.9.
Sainz	He moved late under braking.
Adami	Okay understood we’ll look into it.
Lap: 29 Position: 5 Lap time: 1’38.257
Sainz	I’m quicker than Hamilton. It’s difficult to pass these guys.
Adami	Copy that.
Adami	It’s all about overheating, as you know. [Lift-and-coast] suggested as you are doing, good job.
Lap: 30 Position: 4 Lap time: 1’38.211
Adami	Verstappen 37.7 for info.
Adami	[State of charge] seven, Russell one second behind. Russell is down on battery, 1.1 behind, good job. Russell 1.4 behind. Verstappen 37.5. Hamilton 37.6. Perez 38.0.
Lap: 31 Position: 4 Lap time: 1’38.513
Adami	You’ve got a third strike turn three for track limits, previous lap.
Sainz	Copy.
	Perez three seconds in front, Russell 1.4 behind.
Sainz	Yeah my battery is very low.
Adami	Keep the [state of charge] as it is, it will come up.
Lap: 32 Position: 4 Lap time: 1’37.963
Adami	Switch red, switch red.

With the thought of a potential second pit stop looming, Sainz proactively communicated his desire for an additional turn on his front wing if and when he came in. This level of detail in his feedback highlighted his deep understanding of the car and his ongoing pursuit of optimal performance.

Lap: 33 Position: 4 Lap time: 1’37.975
Sainz	Yep it’s coming back with the battery and tyres.
Adami	Copy, that’s good.
Adami	Verstappen 37.8.
Sainz	Check on the Hamilton pace?
Adami	Hamilton 39.2. He went off, that’s why he lost one second.
Sainz	We can go up on the flap for next…
Adami	Copy. Switch position grey. Hamilton was on a 37.7 his best lap three laps ago.
Lap: 34 Position: 4 Lap time: 1’38.081
Adami	Verstappen 7.9. Hamilton 8.5.
Adami	And Perez 8.3.
Lap: 35 Position: 4 Lap time: 1’38.172
Adami	And Verstappen 7.9. Hamilton 8.1.

Sainz’s fierce drive saw him challenge Perez for a podium, despite internal strategy debates.

The Strategic Dilemma: To Pit or Not to Pit?

Once Sainz closed in on Perez, he began to experience a loss of time, primarily due to the Red Bull’s superior straight-line speed which made overtaking particularly challenging. This predicament, coupled with the long stint on medium tyres and the looming five-second penalty, forced Ferrari to seriously consider a second pit stop. The internal debate centered on whether his current tyres would last until the end of the race without a significant performance drop, or if a fresh set was essential to maximize his potential.

Sainz, sensing the critical juncture, urged the team for an immediate decision. He understood that any delay in making a second stop would reduce the remaining laps for him to carve his way back up the order, potentially making a podium finish impossible. The stakes were incredibly high, and the communication between driver and pit wall became increasingly intense.

Lap: 36 Position: 4 Lap time: 1’38.599
Lap: 37 Position: 4 Lap time: 1’38.416
Adami	Perez [unclear], Hamilton 38.7.
Sainz	It looks very difficult to pass this guy. Especially with their top speed.
Adami	We are very good in 11 and 12, take advantage.
Lap: 38 Position: 4 Lap time: 1’38.310
Adami	16 laps to go.
Adami	We are considering plan A. 16 laps. Have a think and let me know. 16, considering plan A.
Sainz	We need to decide now. But I think it’s difficult.
Adami	Copy that.
Lap: 39 Position: 4 Lap time: 1’38.703
Sainz	Where is George?
Adami	He is 3.2 behind.
Sainz	No we cannot so think about something.
Adami	Okay, understood.

Ferrari eventually made the decision to call Sainz in for new tyres. However, this decision was met with further hesitation. The team delayed, aiming to create a larger gap to the cars behind Sainz, hoping to minimize the traffic he would encounter upon rejoining the track. This attempt to manage track position, while logical in theory, inadvertently led to the infamous moment that fueled much of the post-race controversy.

Lap: 40 Position: 4 Lap time: 1’38.348
Adami	Okay copy plan D confirmed. Plan D confirmed. Clearing traffic behind.
Sainz	Do we know if Red Bull is stopping or not?
Adami	We believe they are staying out until the end. We believe they are staying out.
Sainz	Then let’s stop. Then let’s stop.
Adami	Copy that.
Adami	Stay out, stay out, stay out.
Lap: 41 Position: 3 Lap time: 1’38.857
Adami	Two more laps to clear traffic, two more laps.

The “Not Now!” Incident and The Delayed Pit Stop

By the time Ferrari finally committed to calling Sainz in, he was in the middle of a phenomenal charge. He had just executed a brilliant overtake on Perez, securing third position. It was at this precise, exhilarating moment that his race engineer, Adami, instructed him to “Box, Carlos, box.” Sainz’s immediate, emphatic response – “Not now! Not now!” – perfectly encapsulated the tension and the split-second decisions at play. Ferrari subsequently realized the timing was suboptimal and told him to “Stay out, stay out.”

The perceived awkwardness of this exchange was largely due to the broadcast delay inherent in Formula 1 radio communications. As Ferrari later clarified, the actual instruction to pit was given earlier in the lap, at the exit of Turn 10, before Sainz had completed his overtake and before he passed the pit lane entrance. However, the lag in the world feed made it appear as though the call came exactly at the most inconvenient moment, further fueling the controversy and public scrutiny.

Adami	Box Carlos, box. Pit confirm and box.
Sainz	Not now! Not now!
Adami	Stay out, stay out.
Lap: 42 Position: 7 Lap time: 2’05.219
Adami	Come on guys [unclear] call me box then.
Sainz	Happy to go to the end.
Sainz	What do you think? Let’s do one more lap.
Adami	We think box now. We think box now.
Sainz	Okay. Okay, okay, okay.

Ferrari eventually brought Sainz in on lap 42. After serving his five-second penalty and receiving fresh tyres, he rejoined the race with an immense pace advantage over the cars immediately surrounding him. However, with just over ten laps remaining, the window for him to make up significant ground and reclaim a podium position was incredibly narrow. This final stint would be a race against time, showcasing his raw speed but ultimately limited by the late strategic call.

Adami	Give you plus 0.2. There will be the five-second penalty.
Adami	Confirm and box. Hard on brakes and K2 on. Five seconds.
Adami	Watch the white line? You’ll come out close to Ocon. Pace delta three seconds. Stroll approaching behind. K2 off. Ten laps to go.
Lap: 43 Position: 8 Lap time: 1’44.372
Lap: 44 Position: 7 Lap time: 1’36.242
Sainz	What pace do I need?
Adami	35.5.
Adami	[State of charge] six, suggestion. Lando car in front lap time 39.0.
Adami	Perez and Russell are fighting hard, they are at turn 13/14.
Sainz	What is their pace?
Adami	Perez lap time 38.3. You have the fastest lap so far.
Lap: 45 Position: 6 Lap time: 1’36.208
Adami	Lando lap time 39.3. Fernando four seconds in front. Fernando lap time 38.7.

Following his second pit stop, Sainz demonstrated incredible recovery, overtaking Alonso and the McLarens to secure fifth place.

A Frantic Final Stint and Post-Race Reflections

Immediately after his second pit stop, Sainz voiced his reservations, questioning the team’s strategy given his strong pace on the previous set of medium tyres. Ferrari’s explanation pointed to the dwindling life of his previous set, suggesting they wouldn’t have made it to the end of the race without a significant performance drop, making the pit stop a necessary evil.

Lap: 46 Position: 6 Lap time: 1’36.243
Sainz	I don’t understand why we boxed, we would have pulled away.
Adami	We were short in tyre life.
Adami	Russell lap time 37.6, info.
Lap: 47 Position: 5 Lap time: 1’35.852
Adami	Fernando lap time 38.3, two seconds slower.
Lap: 48 Position: 5 Lap time: 1’36.611
Adami	And five laps to go.
Lap: 49 Position: 5 Lap time: 1’47.636
Sainz	Ah, I don’t understand.

Any remaining hope Sainz had of catching Perez and Russell in the final laps was dashed by another twist of fate: Zhou Guanyu’s retirement triggered a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) period. While the VSC allowed him to cool his tyres and consolidate his position, it also neutralized his blistering pace advantage, preventing him from closing the gap further. Despite the VSC, Sainz managed to set the fastest lap of the race, earning an extra championship point, a small consolation for a day filled with strategic uncertainty.

Adami	Virtual Safety Car, stay out. Stay positive.
Adami	Charge button on.
Lap: 50 Position: 5 Lap time: 2’00.875
Adami	Try to keep temperature in the tyres. It’ll be soon, the ending, be prepared.
Adami	They are moving Zhou’s car at turn six. K2 on. Ending, ending.
Sainz	Still ending?
Adami	Yeah, still ending, still ending. Probably a glitch there. Ending now, again, ending.
Adami	And K2 on.
Sainz	We have fastest lap?
Lap: 51 Position: 5 Lap time: 1’35.781
Adami	Yes, confirm. Three to go.
Lap: 52 Position: 5 Lap time: 1’36.352

As the checkered flag fell, Sainz finished in fifth position, a commendable result given his starting position and the mid-race penalty. However, the lingering question of “what if” remained. Post-race, Sainz maintained that the team should have gambled on leaving him out, believing he had nothing to lose and could have potentially outrun Russell, thereby banking more points even without a podium. Ferrari, conversely, defended their decision as a necessary measure to prevent a severe drop in performance due to worn tyres. The French Grand Prix thus stands as a poignant example of the fine margins and complex strategic calculations that define Formula 1 racing, and the persistent challenge of making perfect calls under immense pressure.

Lap: 53 Position: 5 Lap time: 1’36.446
Adami	And last lap, last lap.
Finishing position: 5
Adami	And mode slow. And P5 confirmed. And you showed master class out there. Good overtaking manoeuvre and good job there.
Sainz	Yeah thank you. It was tough.
Adami	We were boxed in with strategy there with the tyres not going to the end. It was tough, I know but you did what you could.
Sainz	Yeah, I know, but we had nothing to lose by staying out.
Adami	Understood. Some pick-up please.

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French GP Strategy Sainz and Ferrari’s Decisive Moment