Having missed the Jeddah race, Sainz spent two weeks specializing in his restoration earlier than returning to the cockpit for Friday follow in Albert Park.
Though he was match to drive, his preparations have been compromised by skipping coaching and never working within the Ferrari simulator.
Regardless of that he had the sting on team-mate Charles Leclerc in qualifying and having handed the ailing Max Verstappen within the opening laps, he went on to guide a one-two for the Italian group.
“This winter we agreed collectively to push till the final lap of the season,” he mentioned when requested by Motorsport.com to sum up Sainz’s efficiency.
“And he did a improbable job. He was there in Bahrain, pushing the group additionally, and for certain Jeddah was a tricky weekend, a tricky weekend for Carlos, a tricky weekend for the group.
“However the restoration is mega. It’s a must to understand that two weeks in the past he was within the hospital. I believe even Friday he was not 100 per cent certain to have the ability to drive.
“And after a few laps, he was on the tempo, and this was a part of the success – as a result of you may’t quit one lap in free follow if you wish to carry out.
“For certain, it is wonderful. In case you have a glance on the place he is coming from no person anticipated a outcome like this at the moment.”
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24
Photograph by: Mark Horsburgh / Motorsport Photographs
Vasseur downplayed the truth that Sainz had an edge on team-mate Leclerc.
“We’re talking about plus or minus half a tenth,” he mentioned. “And classification is one factor, the tempo is one other one.
“I believe through the race the problem is that we needed to cowl [Oscar] Piastri originally, that was not supreme by way of race time, for certain.
“We did not wish to quit the place on monitor, and we put him in a tricky state of affairs. However on the final stint, he knew extra concerning the degradation of the onerous, and he was in a position to be very constant and it was an excellent one.”
