Only four days have passed since the Silverstone race, but for Formula 1 it is already time to turn the page and start thinking about the Austrian Grand Prix. For some, however, it is clearly more difficult to make the waste disappear completely than what happened in Great Britain. And Charles Leclerc is obviously one of them.
The Ferrari driver was in the lead when the Safety Car entered, but the wall did not react in the best way for him, leaving him on the track with used tires and therefore very vulnerable to the attack of those who followed him with fresh tires. In the end, therefore, there was only the fourth final place for him, while his teammate Carlos Sainz won, hitting the first success of his career.
A situation that has sparked great controversy over the strategic management of the race, which was criticized even by the Monegasque driver. On Tuesday evening there was also a blitz in Monaco by team principal Mattia Binotto, who wanted to try to restore serenity to his driver at this stage of the season, which is crucial for getting closer to Red Bull.
You said you wanted to clarify after the British GP to understand what had happened. Did you get any answers? Is there something to change?
“Obviously, we have analyzed the strategy and there are definitely some things we could have done better. But it’s obvious, because we were first and second and we finished first and fourth. So we know where we made mistakes. And I hope we can grow starting from this.
Does the team’s approach have to change in terms of prioritizing the drivers? Or is the team satisfied with how things went?
“I don’t know that and it’s not up to me to say anything about it. I just focus on my work, trying to do my best on the track.”
Have you learned from the mistakes of the past? What needs to change now?
“Personally, I think I could not have done anything different. As a team, I think we would have had to change a few things already, just with regards to communication during the race to be ready at that particular moment. Because once the Safety Car is exit, you have to make a decision, and if you are not ready, then it is difficult. So yes, as a team we have changed some things, but I don’t want to go into too much detail. “
Do you have to be more aggressive with team orders?
“Again, I don’t think it’s up to me to say anything about it.”
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari F1-75, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari F1-75, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W13
Photo by: James Sutton / Motorsport Images
Why don’t you want to say anything that might upset the team?
“No, no, that’s not it. It’s just that I don’t think it’s my job to do anything about this kind of thing. I’m not the one who has the right to make these decisions.”
In the last few days, there have been images of Binotto coming to visit you in Munich. Have you talked about what you said after Silverstone?
“Yeah, well obviously there has been a lot of talk about that in the last few days. At first he was pretty angry with me after the Silverstone race, because he had seen me very low, and of course he understood that. But he just wanted to make sure I was okay and that I realize that I have done an extraordinary job, considering the situation I found myself in after the Safety Car. And then in Monaco, it is something we usually do. It came because the last five races have been quite difficult for me. I wanted to stay home, unplug a little to be 100% this weekend, and he came to Monaco to talk about the last five races and make sure everything was okay for me. “
Who paid for the dinner?
“Mattia, but he always invites me”.
Does Mattia understand the criticisms you make in the radio messages?
“Yes, there is a lot of adrenaline when you are in the car and you always try to contain it as much as possible. But of course sometimes you are disappointed and you need to talk. I have never been asked not to say something or anything. But I always have I tried to contain myself as a driver, because whatever I say risks being amplified and taking on a much greater weight than it actually has. And I don’t want situations of this type to occur. “
Have you reviewed the race?
“No I did not”.
What is the mood within the team? There are some Italian media outlets that suggest it is divided and in decay …
“That’s not true at all and I wouldn’t want to have to answer this question everywhere. We are extremely united. Was there disappointment after the last race because we finished first and fourth? Yes, there was. We were very happy that Carlos has won his first race? Yes, honestly we were. But before the Safety Car we were first and second, so there is also a bit of disappointment. But there is no kind of division within the team, that sure”.
Did you notice any changes in Carlos’ behavior?
“No, no, I haven’t noticed.”
Are you going to talk to him?
“I have nothing to say to Carlos, but I’ve already congratulated him on the victory and that’s all.”
When there have been problems with team orders in the past, like in China in 2019, have you talked about it?
“We had time to clarify things, but I don’t think there were too many team orders in the last race.”
This weekend we run at the Red Bull Ring …
“I like this track. We have been competitive in the past and it is a track that reminds me of the times of karting, because it is very short. I really hope I can be competitive, that we will have a ‘clean’ weekend and we will finally be able to do things. to the best”.
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