Numbers Game At Ferrari?

Carlos Sainz, Ferrari, AGP.

    Formula One's most historic and grandee team Ferrari are most certainly in the midst of an epic battle to claim both Driver's and Constructor's Championships in 2022. After four races Charles Leclerc and Ferrari are leading both championships with defending champ Max Verstappen and Red Bull hot on their heels.
    When orchestrating a sustained assault on the championship, Ferrari have demonstrated over many past campaigns a very specific modus operandi. Dictated by early season form, Ferrari have traditionally put their collective might behind their higher scoring driver, with the second driver relegated to a diversionary, supporting role in their bid to achieve championship glory. Teams orders reversing driver positions or adopting delaying tactics to other competitors are nothing new to Ferrari or F1 for that matter. All perfectly legal and expected in a team sport where the stakes are high and the rewards immense. 
    With Leclerc leading the championship, team mate Carlos Sainz at present resides in 5th position. After starting the season strongly, he's currently enduring a wretched time DNF'ing in the last two races after crashing out in Australia and being punted on the first lap at Imola by a struggling Daniel Ricciardo. Even at this early stage of the season, is Carlos Sainz at risk of being assigned the subservient role of number 2 to further Charles Leclerc's championship quest? Think Rubens Barrichello to Michael Schumacher, or Felipe Massa to Fernando Alonso, or Clay Regazzoni to Niki Lauda. There's no doubt that Sainz is one of F1's top drivers. He competed strongly with Verstappen when they were both at Toro Rosso. Whether it's changing teams to Renault, McLaren or Ferrari, he's adjusted quickly, proving how versatile and accomplished he is. In fact he outscored team mate Leclerc in his first year at Ferrari in 2021. Ferrari obviously rate him too, as evidenced by his recently announced two year contract extension. 
    One simmering question remains that needs to be extinguished before the number 2 mantra becomes a reality. How many races will Ferrari afford Sainz to produce some podium topping results to avoid having a compliant number 2 status thrust upon him? A good start would be a win at this weekend's GP, guaranteeing Sainz and Ferrari a place in the records as the first winners of the inaugural Miami GP. Remember F1's Jewel In The Crown, the Monaco GP, is also being contested later this month. If Carlos Sainz won those two prestigious races or at least bagged big points, would that then leave Ferrari with no other option but to let their two drivers just simply race? Intriguing times ahead....
                        

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