Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz set for back-of-the-grid French GP start

French Grand Prix

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Sainz set for back-of-the-grid French GP start

Sainz drops broad hint that more penalties to come

Sam Hall

Friday 22 July 2022 20:30

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Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz has dropped a broad hint he will start at the back of the grid for Sunday's French Grand Prix.

Sainz, who finished Friday practice quickest, knows he already faces a 10-place grid drop as his SF-75 has taken a third control electronics of the season.

Ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, Ferrari adopted a similar tactic by replacing the control electronics on Friday in Charles Leclerc's car before then confirming a new PU, turbocharger, MGU-H and MGU-K ahead of qualifying.

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Asked if this was Ferrari's intention for himself this weekend, Sainz replied: "We will see. I took 10 [places], so you can expect what is coming next.

"I was focusing more on the long run [in practice] because I am not going to be in that fight for pole position given the amount of penalties."

Sainz concedes overtaking struggle

Despite a near-certain back-of-the-grid start, Ferrari will still be hopeful Sainz can at least finish in the top six, potentially, top four.

But after practising overtakes during the practice sessions, Sainz conceded that progressing through the pack may not be as simple as he would have liked.

"I tried a couple of moments with other cars to overtake because I know I am going to need to overtake a lot and I must say it was a bit trickier than expected," he said.

"Mainly because there was a tailwind on the back straight and with this tailwind, it looks like the slipstream and DRS effect is a bit low.

"But I don't have any choice. I need to find ways to overtake and the best medicine for that is to be a bit quicker come Sunday than we are.

"Let's see what happens when everyone is running the engine modes flat out, if we have the top speed to overtake.

"I hope we do because I'm going to need to make up a lot of places."