“We take risks”, underlines Carlos Sainz after his 5th place at Le Castellet

Carlos Sainz (ESP / Ferrari), 5th starting 19th on the grid:

“We have been pushing hard since the start of the season, so we are taking risks, I made a mistake last time, this time it was Charles. When they gave me the numbers on the radio, I thought we could keep the same tires until the end, I thought a little, and I thought for a moment that I could try, but in the end I trusted them, even if we lost a few seconds making a final stop. At the end of the day, they have more data than me to analyze. Without this penalty (of 5 seconds, for dangerous maneuver in the pits, editor’s note), I could have finished higher in the classification, and even with this penalty I almost finished on the podium, so it’s a good week -end for me. We were fast enough in the race for me to try to pass Russell’s Mercedes, so I did, but in the end my tires were too worn. Without the penalty, I think I could have fought for the podium, but I could also have finished 6th, so in the end it’s not a bad weekend. The penalty is out of my control, so I try to put it all behind me.