P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur has detailed how Mercedes stopped it from attempting an alternative strategy during Formula 1’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The Ferrari pair maintained their places in the nascent stages at Imola, with Carlos Sainz behind Charles Leclerc in fourth and absorbing pressure from Oscar Piastri. However, Piastri would claim the position […]
At Imola, the Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz maintained their positions early on, with Sainz in fourth and fending off pressure from Oscar Piastri. Piastri ultimately overtook Sainz with a well-timed pit stop strategy despite Ferrari’s initial plan for a longer opening stint. Team principal Vasseur revealed that the decision to pit Sainz earlier was influenced by the threat of Mercedes drivers potentially affecting their race. Vasseur explained that the difficulty of overtaking at the tight track prompted the strategic move, even though it compromised Sainz’s tire advantage. Leclerc, on the other hand, pushed hard but a mistake at Variante Alta hindered his pursuit of Lando Norris, with Vasseur suggesting Leclerc may have overheated his tires in the chase. Despite their challenges, the Ferrari team persevered with a thoughtful approach to their race strategy in the competitive environment at Imola.
