Carlos Sainz's arguments for being Ferrari's true leader: "He made a masterful race"

• Singapore GP Qualifying and times
• Red Bull Plummets after new management
• Verstappen 2023 World Championship, with 151 points advantage

The mere fact of ending once and for all the streak of Red Bull, winner of the first 14 races of the World Championship, was a success in itself for Ferrari, which celebrated as it deserved the victory of Carlos Sainz in Singapore. The chords of Ciao, Ciao, the favorite song of his mechanics, thundered again in the red garage in honor of the Spaniard, author of a fabulous weekend. Dominator since Friday, author of the pole, elected best driver of Sunday in the popular vote, Sainz presented in Marina Bay all his arguments to become the true leader of the team.

After the August holidays, Carlos has starred in an undisputed step forward against Charles Leclerc, who had to resign himself to a secondary role in the intricate streets of the city-state. With the same strategy, the Monegasque yielded at the finish line 21 seconds in front of the winner. An abyss that shows Sainz's state of grace.

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Singapore GP.

Sainz's cold-blooded lesson for a masterful victory

• Writing: MIGUEL A. HERGUEDAS

Sainz's cold-blooded lesson for a masterful victory

In the last three races, since the return from the holidays, he has added 50 points, 26 more than his teammate, whom he already leads in the World Championship with some comfort (142-123). Although beyond the numbers, Sainz can boast of an unbalancing factor: his ability to extract the maximum potential from the car. Just when Max Verstappen has lowered the bar and put himself on target, it was he, not Leclerc, who commanded the operations.

"We talked about it in the briefing"

The Monegasque, as soon as the checkered flag fell, sent his congratulations by radio - Great, Carlos! - Before launching into the sincere embrace. For the first time in two and a half years of feverish internal pulse, Leclerc had devoted his efforts to a greater good. "It was something totally normal, which we talked about in the previous briefing. I knew that my time would come to defend him, both at the beginning and later, when I was already warned that Mercedes was approaching quickly," said the former Alfa Romeo driver.

"Since this morning, things had been very clear: the plan was for me not to fight for victory. In addition, at the last minute I decided to change and go out with softs to control George Russell during the first relay, "he explained. According to some estimates, his final defense against the Briton offered nine tenths of oxygen to Sainz. A decisive factor when the victory is decided by only 81 hundredths.

Leclerc also congratulated himself on the "good race management" of his team, so accustomed lately to losing its way in crucial moments. 14 months after the last triumph (Austrian GP 2022), there is no doubt that Ferrari rose to the occasion in Singapore, handling every situation accordingly. With the strategy and with the happy degradation of the tires. Although above the rest, of course, Sainz stood out.

"It's great that he's feeling so good, because it also helps me to understand my driving style a little more. Now it's up to me to catch up," conceded Leclerc, amazed by the sensational performance of the '55' during the last rounds. To his regularity in Zandvoort and the podium of Monza, forged on the basis of courage, is added this exhibition of mettle and mind control in Marina Bay.

For the first time since his arrival at the Great Circus in 2015, he led a race from start to finish. In fact, only Lewis Hamilton's fastest lap (1:35.867) dashed his Grand Chelem chances, the honour that distinguishes the author of a perfect weekend. After passing through the checkered flag, Carlos addressed his first radio message to Frédéric Vasseur, team principal, and Riccardo Adami, track engineer: "Come on, Fred! Come on, Ricky! It's my first smooth operation with Ferrari."

Only 67 thousandths

Usually restrained, Sainz was this time exultant on the podium next to Vasseur, determined to empty the bottle of champagne from his back. With his first win as general manager, the Frenchman also showed overflowing jubilation during the after-party to the traditional photo next to the garage. "It was a masterful performance by Carlos, always controlling the situation. Especially during the closing laps, when he made sure Lando Norris had DRS to fend off Russell," said the man who has taken over from Mattia Binotto.

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Fernando Alonso.

Last in Singapore: "The car is undrivable"

• Writing: MIGUEL A. HERGUEDAS

Last in Singapore: "The car is undrivable"

The truth is that Sainz, always astute to read the races, has been able to adapt his driving style better to the SF-23 against a Leclerc with notorious understeer difficulties. On board that sometimes unpredictable car, Carlos has also multiplied his performance to one lap, his main Achilles heel since landing in Maranello. Although at the moment, after 15 races, Leclerc still dominates 8-7 on Saturdays, with a very narrow margin of 67 thousandths of an average.

Now, with seven races still to go, Sainz must endorse this success to finish the World Championship ahead of Leclerc, a milestone he already achieved in 2021. Likewise, the Scuderia senior staff will continue to be aware of second place in the Constructors' World Championship, where it now has 24 points less than Mercedes. If Red Bull, penalised in Singapore by the new FIA directive, continues to suffer at Suzuka, Ferrari can still fight for more wins in 2023. And what is even more important: to dream of a dominant car for the next World Championship.

• Carlos Sainz Jr
• Red Bull Racing
• Max Verstappen