Ferrari Principal Defends Team Orders Amidst Hamilton and Leclerc Frustration
In a heated exchange at the Miami Grand Prix, Ferrari’s team principal, Frederic Vasseur, stood by his team’s decision despite facing backlash from Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. The tension rose when Hamilton demanded to overtake Leclerc to chase down Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli. After some delay, Leclerc yielded but struggled to pull ahead on his medium tires, leading to a sarcastic remark from Hamilton towards the team’s handling of the situation.
Vasseur defended Ferrari’s strategy, stating that it was well-executed within the team’s internal rules. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing the team’s interests over individual drivers, even in the face of their champion-level competitiveness. Vasseur acknowledged the frustration but maintained that the team made the right call for the race.
The Ferrari boss highlighted the complexity of making real-time decisions during a race, especially regarding the speed differentials between cars. Despite the discord on the track, Vasseur expressed confidence in the relationship with both Hamilton and Leclerc, built on trust and mutual understanding forged over the years.
Looking beyond the team dynamics, Vasseur acknowledged Ferrari’s struggle to keep up with the pace set by their competitors, particularly McLaren, who dominated the Miami Grand Prix. With a significant gap in points after just six races, Ferrari faces a daunting challenge in closing the performance deficit in both qualifying and race trim.
As the European leg of the F1 season approaches, all eyes will be on Ferrari’s ability to regroup and mount a stronger challenge at the upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Stay tuned for more updates on Ferrari’s quest for redemption in the fiercely competitive world of Formula 1.
