Charles Leclerc assures that Ferrari never asked him to let Lewis Hamilton pass at Zandvoort. The Monegasque is mainly questioning a strategic decision that, according to him, compromised his end of the race.
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Tensions rose at Ferrari during the Dutch Grand Prix. Quickly falling behind Charles Leclerc thanks to fresher tires, Lewis Hamilton felt he was losing valuable time behind his teammate while he could still hope to reach the podium.
The Briton ultimately finished fourth, behind George Russell, and regretted after the race the seconds lost behind the other SF-26. Leclerc, fifth just behind his teammate, has now given his version of events.
According to the Monegasque, Ferrari never asked him to give up his position to Hamilton. The real issue concerns his second stop, which he would have liked to delay in order to have significantly fresher tires than Russell in the final laps.
Leclerc wanted to extend his stint
When Hamilton was closing in on him, Leclerc was engaged in a strategic battle with Russell. Ferrari had tried to put pressure on the Mercedes and the Briton had ultimately chosen to pit.
For Leclerc, this was precisely the opportunity he was waiting for to extend his stint and create a significant gap in terms of tires.
“For me, it was very important to create a gap in tires with the Mercedes in order to come back strong at the end, and we didn’t really do that. So we need to understand why.”
The Ferrari driver imagined staying on track five to ten laps longer after Russell’s stop. Such a strategy would have allowed him to have much fresher tires at the end of the Grand Prix.
“I was very surprised to stop so early when we had exactly what we wanted. With George’s stop, it was the moment for us to stay out five or ten laps longer to create that tire gap.”
Ferrari instructions that changed
The confusion notably comes from the messages sent by Ferrari to their driver. Leclerc explains that he first received the order to pit, before the team finally asked him to stay out on track.
“There wasn’t really a debate. I was asked to stop, then towards the end of the lap, I was asked to stay out, which I did. And the next lap, I was asked to stop.”
Leclerc eventually complied, but still considers that this stop came too soon after Russell’s. He believes he lost the chance to try something different to attack the Mercedes at the end of the race.
This sequence also had a direct consequence for Hamilton. With fresher tires, the seven-time world champion quickly found himself behind Leclerc and wanted to continue his comeback.
No order to let Hamilton pass
Leclerc insists, however, on an important point: contrary to what the radio exchanges might have suggested, Ferrari never asked him to let Hamilton pass.
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“I didn’t receive any message about that. In the end, I was focused on my pace and trying to do the best I could for my race.”
The Monegasque also recalls that his strategy had already required some sacrifices. His first stop had notably been anticipated to try the undercut on the drivers ahead of him.
“I had to stop early to try to undercut the drivers in front, and that’s part of the team game. Sometimes you have to take some risks, especially during the first stint.”
Hamilton ultimately benefited from his own strategic gap and a virtual safety car to find himself in a position to threaten Russell in the final laps.
Leclerc understands Hamilton’s frustration
After the race, Hamilton did not hide his irritation. The Briton felt he had lost several seconds behind Leclerc and considered that this time could potentially have allowed him to secure third place.
Leclerc, however, sees no reason for this episode to damage their relationship.
“Sometimes I will be frustrated. Sometimes Lewis will be frustrated, but that’s how it is.”
For the Monegasque, fourth or fifth place does not change the total number of points scored by Ferrari in the constructors’ championship.
“It’s a position for the team. It doesn’t change anything, so it’s not like I’m disappointed or have any particular feeling about it.”
Leclerc mainly regrets the timing of the VSC
More than his strategic battle with Hamilton, Leclerc mainly recalls the lack of luck he believes he suffered at Zandvoort. The timing of the virtual safety car notably worked against him as he was trying to rebuild his race.
“I just felt that luck wasn’t really on our side, with a virtual safety car whose timing wasn’t ideal for us.”
The Ferrari driver nevertheless accepts this element of uncertainty. After several races during which circumstances had been more favorable before the summer break, he believes he simply experienced the other side of luck in the Netherlands.
“Before the break, I felt like luck was on my side for two or three races. Sometimes you see the other side of the coin, and that’s what happened to me here.”
Ferrari will nevertheless have to analyze this sequence before Monza. Beyond the frustration expressed by its two drivers, the Zandvoort episode mainly showed the importance of perfectly clear communication when Hamilton and Leclerc find themselves on different strategies in the middle of a battle with their rivals.
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