Ferrari dealt criticism after latest 'disappointing' strategic blunder

Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok has criticised Ferrari for not pitting either of its drivers during one of the two virtual safety car periods in the Australian Grand Prix, branding the decision "disappointing".

Charles Leclerc started fourth at Melbourne's Albert Park but led into the first corner following a strong start, while Lewis Hamilton progressed from seventh to third by the end of the opening lap.

The Scuderia duo sandwiched Mercedes' George Russell, making life difficult for the eventual race winner to manage his energy as he was forced to both attack and defend.

However, it all changed during two virtual safety car periods in the opening stages, with Ferrari deciding against pitting either of its drivers.

Mercedes, on the other hand, did pit both of its drivers, resulting in Russell having clean air. Ferrari did not pit until green flag running had resumed, costing the team several seconds.

It was seen by many, including Chandhok, as yet another Ferrari strategic error, with him wishing the team had gambled on at least one driver.

Speaking in a video on X, Chandhok said: "I think for me Ferrari was a little bit disappointing strategically, because the cars seemed competitive, more competitive than perhaps we expected, but they weren't bold enough on that first virtual safety car.

"I was disappointed that they didn't take the gamble. Despite being in the lead, to try and do a long stint would have been 46 laps on a hard tyre. Other people managed it. I was disappointed they didn't take that chance.

"At worst, they would have been third and fourth. So why not take a chance and try to go for the win anyway, or at least get in that fight with George? 

Because when Lewis and Charles were together with George, George was having to use his battery in less-than-optimal ways to compete and fight with both of them."

Ferrari not 'bold' enough

Had the Maranello-based outfit pitted at least one of its drivers during a virtual safety car, it would have made victory much tougher for Russell.

The Briton did appear to have an advantage, but he only managed to build a comfortable lead once he was taken out of the battle with the Ferraris.

For Leclerc, Chandhok agrees that pitting him under the second virtual safety car after Valtteri Bottas ground to a halt was too difficult due to the timing, but pitting Hamilton was possible.

"I think as long as they had those two dogs in the fight against one, they could have forced George into never really getting the battery into a happy position," added Chandhok. "By not pitting, George pitted and came out in free air.

"He had a couple of laps to just get the battery pack where he wanted it, get his car balance where he wanted it as well, and then he had free air to just make the pace and then build the gap he needed. So I feel like Ferrari should and could have been bolder.

"On the second virtual safety car, Leclerc was a bit too close to the pit entry. But when Bottas' Cadillac broke down, I think they could have pre-empted the virtual safety car or the safety car and called Lewis in. 

They would have had a couple of seconds, maybe three or four seconds longer, for that."