Sainz reveals Ferrari plan to finally take on Verstappen

Carlos Sainz believes the only way for Ferrari to beat Max Verstappen and Red Bull is through having two cars at the front to allow a split in strategies.

Reigning F1 champion Verstappen has won five successive races to take his tally for the season to 11 which has put him in a position to clinch his second title at the next race in Singapore.

At the Italian Grand Prix, Sainz took a back-of-the-grid penalty for an engine change and whilst Verstappen had a five-place penalty of his own, pole-sitter Charles Leclerc was left alone to defend the Dutchman's advances.

When the virtual safety car was deployed on lap 12, Leclerc pitted whilst Red Bull told Verstappen to do the opposite to his rival.

The move proved costly for Leclerc who would never challenge Verstappen again.

Sainz believes the result could have been different if he had been in a position to cover off Verstappen's strategy but insisted there would be no tactical gambling.

"If I hadn’t have had a penalty, with both cars up there we could have put Max under a lot of pressure," explained Sainz. "Unfortunately, I had to take a penalty.

“We couldn’t divide strategies so we left Max to choose the contrary option to Charles.

"When we stop having penalties and go to favourable tracks like Singapore and I am up there, we will have two cars - not to gamble with - but to get around with Max and we will be in a better position.

“But at Monza, not having me up there with the pace I had was detrimental.”