Italian Grand Prix

Binotto: Tyre choice key to Leclerc's Italian GP win

Martin Macdonald Sunday 8 September 2019 17:23

Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto reckons the team’s decision to put Charles Leclerc on hard tyres for a longer stint to the end of the race was proved correct after the Monegasque driver claimed the win at the Italian Grand Prix.

Leclerc secured pole position yesterday and started Sunday’s race with gusto as he fought off the attentions of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.

In an attempt to bridge the speed gap to Ferrari, Mercedes had their drivers on the softer two compounds while Leclerc was given hard tyres.

As Mercedes’ tyres started to look weary, Leclerc’s were in much healthier condition, and Binotto thinks this allowed him to defend from the Silver Arrows duo in behind.

“He's driving very well. We can see how he defended his position today. We put on the hard tyres which we believed was the right choice,” the Ferrari team principal said at Monza.

“We knew that the wear would have been critical and the best way to protect him was to be on the hard. I think it was a brave, but right decision.”

The Scuderia hadn’t won in their home GP since Fernando Alonso well over a decade ago, and Binotto is happy they finally ended the barren run with a victory in front of the passionate Ferrari fans.

“It was too long since we won here,” he added.

“Starting on pole and staying ahead has been a key factor.”

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Binotto: Tyre choice key to Leclerc's Italian GP win

Binotto: Tyre choice key to Leclerc's Italian GP win