Vasseur defends controversial Ferrari strategy at Italian Grand Prix
Vasseur defends controversial Ferrari strategy at Italian Grand Prix
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has defended the decision to let Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc battle it out towards the end of the Italian Grand Prix.
Sainz was in P3 ahead of Leclerc with only a handful of laps still to go, and the team allowed the Monegasque driver to fight to gain a position on the podium.
Luckily for Sainz, Leclerc couldn’t quite catch him in the final few laps and the Spaniard walked away with his first podium place of the season, while his team-mate took P4.
READ MORE: Unstoppable Verstappen is a MAJOR PROBLEM for F1
The decision marked a departure from Ferrari's usual strategy, which prioritises the needs of the team over individual driver glory.
On previous occasions, Sainz has not been allowed to take the fight to Leclerc in front, being ordered instead to hold his position and ensure a strong team result overall.
Vasseur: Ferrari fight was my decision
But it seems the team changed tack in Monza, and Vasseur has insisted that the decision was ‘the best way to thank the fans for their support’.
He said he was ‘proud’ of how the drivers behaved and added that he wanted to leave them ‘free’ rather than constrain them.
As reported by Corriere della Sera, Vasseur explained: "It was the best way to thank the fans for their support, it was not fair to set an order with four laps to go.
“I trusted them, I said not to take risks, even if in these cases the 'zero risk' does not exist. I am proud of how they behaved and the result.
“It was my decision, on these things it's up to me to say the last word. I felt more comfortable leaving them free than constraining them. It's not like I didn't shake in those moments too.”
READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Albon reveals SECRET to his incredible defensive performances
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Mercedes reveal shock RED livery to celebrate historic milestone
- 4 minutes ago
Ricciardo makes five-race admission in bid to survive F1 axe
- 1 hour ago
Red Bull is 'burning' after Horner and Marko display
- 2 hours ago
Red Bull announce strong statement over Newey departure claims
- 3 hours ago
Verstappen 'to meet Mercedes over SHOCK 2025 move as Red Bull exit clause revealed'
- Today 18:57
F1 champion reveals £100 MILLION contract to keep racing
- Today 17:57
Related news
F1 boss confirms HISTORIC race in danger
Italian Grand Prix saw huge amount of F1 fans MISS key moments
Brundle admits Russell podium at Monza would have led to 'CHAOS'
Brundle claims under pressure F1 star 'back in control'
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860