“Too close to stop both of them” : Ferrari explains why they couldn’t let Charles Leclerc pit at Silverstone

“Too close to stop both of them” : Ferrari explains why they couldn’t let Charles Leclerc pit at Silverstone

Ferrari

Ferrari was apprehensive of 7-time Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton’s challenge as the Mercedes driver accumulated a tyre delta during a frantic opening stint in which Ferrari saw Carlos Sainz cede and reclaim the race’s lead.

After observing that it would have been difficult for either car to pass Hamilton once Mercedes pulled him into the pits, Ferrari ordered Sainz to forgo his position to teammate Charles Leclerc. After stopping, Hamilton returned in third place, but his benefit in tyre wear allowed him to gradually make up to the Ferraris.

There were numerous delayed pit stops when the safety car was deployed with 14 laps to go, but Ferrari decided to retain race leader Leclerc outside and just send Spaniard Sainz in for a fresh set of soft tyres.

FS Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UPDLJqgP38

Also Read: Carlos Sainz did not want to harm Charles Leclerc during Silverstone overtake: “My overtake on Charles was clean”

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto explains the pit stop situation at the British Grand Prix yesterday

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto

On being asked why Ferrari pitted Sainz instead of Leclerc, Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto mentioned that it was “too close to stop both of them”, compelling Charles Leclerc to stay out on the track with an older set of tyres. “There was not a sufficient gap to stop both of them, because the second would have lost time at the pit stop and would have fallen back on-track,” added Binotto.

“Why then by deciding to stop only one, why we decided to stop Carlos? Because Charles got the track position. He was leading, so he would have remained the leader of the race. His tyres were fresher compared to the ones of Carlos. He had I think six or seven laps less laps to the one of Carlos in a better shape,” mentioned the Swiss team boss.

Binotto believed that Ferrari’s choices on race strategy were “the right and proper ones at each single time,” with the idea of holding Leclerc out rather than bring him in being the only probable error.

Also Read: “Ferrari and Carlos Sainz screwed him,” Tifosi brewing in anger after Charles Leclerc’s race was compromised in Silverstone

Also Read: “Congrats on your first big win” : Tennis legend Rafael Nadal congratulates Carlos Sainz on his first F1 victory