Ferrari reveal 'completely stupid' fear over major Chinese GP decision

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur conceded the team ran the risk of looking “stupid’ by letting their drivers race for position at the Chinese Grand Prix.

Hamilton and Leclerc squabbled for position throughout the race and swapped places on various occasions as they battled for supremacy.

It was ultimately Hamilton who came out on top in the battle as the seven-time champion scored his first podium finish with Ferrari.

While the risk of a double DNF was being taken, Vasseur highlighted his trust in the drivers and stated the battle served as a morale boost for the team.

“Huge respect for both of them,” Vasseur told media including RacingNews365. “They are professional, and I think it makes sense in this situation to let them race.

“I know perfectly that we can also look completely stupid half an hour or later, but at the end of the day, it's also the best way to build up a team.

“We need to have this kind of emulation in the team to improve, as long as it's done like it was done today.

“Even a couple of times on the radio they told us that they had good fun, I don't want to freeze the positions.”

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Ferrari 'pushing more' in opening stint than Mercedes

Ferrari was forced to settle for third and fourth after it became clear that it was unable to keep pace with Mercedes.

Hamilton led the race early on as he charged from the second row off the starting line to move ahead of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.

But as the Silver Arrows stretched its legs, Ferrari fell behind, and it became an intra-team battle. 

Vasseur noted Ferrari took added comfort in the fight due to the large gap created to the cars behind.

“In the beginning, we were fighting with Mercedes, as long as we are in the one second and we can have the extra boost, we are able to keep the pace,” he said.

“But as soon as they are making the one-second gap, it's much more difficult.

“Perhaps we are pushing a bit more than them on the opening laps, and then after the first 10 lap of each stint, we are coming back to the four or five-tenths a lap that they have.

“Behind us, it was Bearman or Gasly at one stage, they were quite far away and you can manage it a bit more.”