It was a rough morning for both Ferrari drivers ahead of the afternoon Monza Sprint.
During the final Practice session this morning, Carlos Sainz crashed out, meaning the team has spent the past few hours working through a major repair job.
Sainz was swiftly taken to the medical centre but was able to get out of his SF21 unaided. He was cleared by medics with more checks scheduled for an hour’s time.
“Carlos has preliminarily cleared, but there will be another check in an hour’s time,” said F1 race director Michael Masi.
Just a few minutes after Sainz’s incident, Charles Leclerc asked to return to the pits suggesting over the radio that he was unwell.
According to Sky Sports F1, “he seems to be fine for the Sprint, but not exactly ideal preparation.”
It was also revealed that at this point “we understand, both drivers are OK for the Sprint.”
The team also appears to have successfully repaired Sainz’s car, so he will likely be ok to start today’s Sprint from seventh place ahead of Leclerc in 8th.
Here’s the full grid:
- Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
- Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull
- Lando Norris, McLaren
- Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren
- Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri
- Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
- Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
- Sergio Perez, Red Bull
- Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo
