Carlos Sainz's maiden Ferrari podium "doesn't taste as good as it should"

Sainz, Monaco, Ferrari — Photo: © LAT Images

Monaco Grand Prix

Sainz's maiden Ferrari podium "doesn't taste as good as it should"

Sainz finished second after team-mate Leclerc missed the race

Ewan Gale

Sunday 23 May 2021 17:13

Carlos Sainz has conceded his maiden Ferrari podium "doesn't taste as good as it should" after Charles Leclerc was forced to sit out the Monaco Grand Prix.

Leclerc was due to start on pole for his home race but an issue with his car, thought to be an overhanging left-driveshaft issue from his Q3 crash, ensured he watched the race from the sidelines.

Sainz benefitted from his team-mate's misfortune and Valtteri Bottas' retirement for a wheel nut issue to finish second for his first podium as a Ferrari driver and insisted the team should be proud for its efforts.

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"It is a good result," said Sainz. "If you had told me before coming to Monaco I would be second I would have definitely taken it.

"It is just the whole circumstances of the weekend, having Charles on pole, me missing out in quali yesterday on a good lap, it maybe doesn't taste as good as it should.

"I am sure when I look back we will be very happy and proud of the weekend and I think Ferrari as a team should be proud of the car and the step they have done this year."

Sainz's result salvaged a highlight from what has been the team's strongest weekend since 2019, and the Spaniard hinted at the extra weight on his shoulders Leclerc's retirement put on him.

"When you see the other car not starting from pole, all of a sudden the responsibility lies on you to salvage the weekend," he added.

"One car is out starting from pole and you want to give the team at least a podium.

"It was all about getting the start right and around the pitstop, there was a lot of traffic, we were lapping the cars really quickly.

"Obviously, Valtteri had the pitstop but even without that, I was feeling really good with the car and I feel like the team at least deserved a podium this weekend."