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Button: Why did Vettel have to give his place back?

Photo: © LAT Images

Button: Why did Vettel have to give his place back?

The former world champion unsure of Ferrari's tactics.

Jenson Button has criticised Ferrari's strategy at the Russian Grand Prix, stating that he feels the team 'overthought' their approach to the race.

Ferrari opted to give Sebastian Vettel the tow into the first corner with Charles Leclerc, starting on pole, slotting in behind.

The idea was to hand the race lead back to Leclerc down the line but a series of discussions on team radio made it clear that Vettel was not keen on slowing down to let his team-mate through.

In the end Vettel's race was ended via a power unit failure, but speaking to Sky Sports, former world champion Button was unclear as to why there was an agreement in the first place.

He said: "I find it very strange that he had to give the place back, Sebastian, I think they've [Ferrari] overthought it personally, because he looks like he [Vettel] got a great tow, which is normal there.

"I don't get why they had a deal in the first place. The best that Sebastian was ever going to do in that race was second.

It's such a strange deal to have. He wasn't going to keep to the right and help Lewis out, they should have had a deal, that ok, you're leading the race, you stick the left and help Vettel at the start.

"If he gets past, he gets past, Ferrari wins. It's just a very strange situation to be in."

Read the full team radio dispute between Ferrari, Vettel and Leclerc

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