Ferrari defends French GP strategy calls despite Sainz radio doubts

With Charles Leclerc out of the race early on following his crash, it hopes rested on getting Carlos Sainz as far forwards as possible following his back-row start due to an engine penalty.

Having started on the alternative hard tyre compared to the frontrunners, the Spanish driver was switched to the medium during Leclerc’s safety car period – leaving him with a tough ask to make it to the end.

But as he made rapid progress and eventually hauled himself up past Red…