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.”

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Mercedes boss reveals 'hidden battle' facing F1 title favourites

• 38 minutes ago

Adrian Newey's Aston Martin is now the BEST team to join in F1

• 1 hour ago

F1 star Ralf Schumacher injured in jet ski accident after boat capsizes

• 2 hours ago

Kim Kardashian just completed 'couple goals' with F1 boyfriend Lewis Hamilton

• 2 hours ago

New F1 track is 'illegal' claim furious locals with court challenge planned

• 3 hours ago

Lewis Hamilton 'absolute no-go' means Ferrari peace talks must happen says Schumacher

• Today 17:27