Vasseur hails Sainz's "fantastic" comeback win in Australia

Carlos Sainz's Australian Grand Prix triumph was nothing short of extraordinary, given the challenges he had faced leading up to the race weekend.

Having missed the previous round in Jeddah due to an appendicitis operation, Sainz spent two weeks focusing on his recovery before returning to the cockpit for Friday practice in Albert Park.

"You have to keep in mind that two weeks ago he was in the hospital,"

Vasseur remarked.

"I think even Friday he was not 100 per cent sure to be able to drive."

Despite compromised preparations, including skipping training and missing simulator running, Sainz showcased remarkable resilience and determination.

Exceeding expectations

Vasseur candidly admitted,

"If you have a look on where he's coming from nobody expected a result like this today."

Sainz's performance defied expectations, as he outqualified teammate Charles Leclerc and then overtook the ailing Max Verstappen in the opening laps, ultimately leading Ferrari to a one-two finish.

"And after a couple of laps, he was on the pace, and this was part of the success – because you can't give up one lap in free practice if you want to perform,"

Vasseur added, underscoring Sainz's immediate pace and commitment.

Narrow margin over Leclerc

While Sainz appeared to have an edge over Leclerc, Vasseur downplayed the significance of the marginal gap between the two Ferrari drivers.

"We are speaking about plus or minus half a tenth,"

he said.

"And classification is one thing, the pace is another one."

Vasseur also shed light on Ferrari's race strategy, revealing that the team had to cover Oscar Piastri's AlphaTauri early on, which compromised their ideal race plan.

"We didn't want to give up the position on track, and we put him in a tough situation,"

Vasseur explained, referring to Sainz's early battle with Piastri.

However, Sainz's experience with the hard compound tires in the final stint allowed him to maintain consistent pace and secure the victory.

Unwavering commitment

Reflecting on Sainz's performance, Vasseur praised the Spaniard's unwavering commitment, stating,

"This winter we agreed together to push until the last lap of the season. And he did a fantastic job."

Sainz's resilience, determination, and pace in Australia were a testament to his dedication, as he bounced back from adversity to deliver a remarkable victory for Ferrari.