(Motorsport-Total.com) – Ferrari has defended its controversial strategy choice at the Monaco Grand Prix, after the decision caused displeasure, especially with Leclerc himself. The Monegasque was virtually in second place at the time of a safety car phase, ahead of his teammate Lewis Hamilton. Nevertheless, Ferrari opted for a double pit stop for both drivers.
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Ferrari’s deputy team principal Jerome d’Ambrosio explains the background to the decision, emphasizing that it was a deliberately risky but, from the team’s perspective, necessary measure.
“There were discussions about this during the race,” d’Ambrosio tells Sky Sports Germany. “The risk is that if you wait during the safety car, you end up with the safety car directly in front of you and then everything is completely lost.”
Ferrari defends controversial double pit stop
He also admits that the decision for Leclerc was not optimal in retrospect, but defends the approach from the team’s perspective.
“Perhaps the last stop was not one hundred percent optimal for him personally. But in retrospect, and we discussed this, it’s what you have to do as a team.” Nevertheless, d’Ambrosio also shows understanding for his driver: “These are those difficult decisions that understandably caused frustration for him.”
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At the time of the safety car phase, the penalty against Hamilton additionally influenced the situation. “At that point, he was virtually second due to Lewis’s five-second penalty. But with the safety car, that was neutralized, and we had to stop both at the same time. Unfortunately, these are things you don’t have much influence over,” says d’Ambrosio.
Brake problems additionally concern Ferrari
In addition to the strategy, technical problems in particular caused discussion. Leclerc had complained several times during the race about an unstable braking feel. Shortly before the end of the safety car phase after Lance Stroll’s retirement, these brake problems led to an accident for Leclerc. Thus, the Monegasque could not finish his home race and crashed the Ferrari into the barrier.
D’Ambrosio also addressed this and confirmed the driver’s difficulties. “He clearly had problems with the braking feel. He also communicated this clearly. I think it’s known now that drivers sometimes use different solutions,” he said.
Ferrari also announced that it would comprehensively analyze the data at the factory in Maranello. “We need to go back to the factory and look at this in detail and see how we want to proceed. For us as a team, it is important to support the drivers as best as possible so that they get the right feel for the car,” d’Ambrosio summarizes.
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