Sainz sidelined from Qatar GP due to fuel system issue!

©Ferrari

Disaster struck the Ferrari camp in the run-up to the Qatar Grand Prix, with a fuel system issue detected on Carlos Sainz’s SF-23 that proved irreparable in time for the race.

Sainz, who had qualified P12 on Friday, has left Charles Leclerc as the Scuderia’s single representative in Sunday’s event.

Ferrari’s mechanics were seen hard at work on Sainz’s car to try and fix the problem in time for him to join the grid. But the team ultimately decided that a timely repair was not possible.

"Due to a fuel system issue on his car, Carlos will not take part in the Qatar GP,” Ferrari said in a short statement.

Read also: Perez forced to make pit lane start in Qatar GP

Leclerc will launch his race from fifth on the grid. After Saturday’s sprint, that he concluded seventh on the road before he was demoted to P12 due to a track limit penalty, the Monegasque noted that he will have an extra set of the medium tyre available for the race compared to his main competitors.

“This could give us an advantage in tomorrow’s race as the Medium compound seemed strong today and we have an extra set compared to our competitors who already used theirs in the Sprint,” he said on Saturday.

“If we take care of the Softs, they can be good too, so it should be an interesting race.”

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.