
When Carlos Sainz Jr was pulled out of Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix due to a fuel system issue, Ferrari suffered a setback in their Formula One competition with Mercedes for second position in the championship.
The Spaniard, who is the only non-Red Bull driver to have won a race thus far this season, was informed by the team that he would not be competing.
The drivers’ and constructors’ championships have already been won by Max Verstappen and Red Bull.
There are still six grand prix to go, and there are only 26 points separating Mercedes from third-placed Ferrari.
With teammate Charles Leclerc in fifth place, Sainz had qualified in 12th.
George Russell is second on the grid for Mercedes, and Lewis Hamilton is third.