Ferrari believe that a mechanical problem was the root cause of Charles Leclerc's throttle getting stuck as the Austrian Grand Prix drew to a close. After building up a comfortable lead, Leclerc had to manage his throttle sticking to varying levels as the laps ticked down, with Red Bull rival Max Verstappen looming. Despite the scare, Leclerc kept the situation under control from the cockpit - with advice from his engineer over the radio - to take the chequered flag. It marked Leclerc's third victory of the season, bringing to an end a three-month winless run.
Binotto points to mechanical issue on Leclerc's car
Speaking after the race, Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto indicated that Leclerc's troubles were caused by a mechanical fault, rather than electrical. "I think we need to confirm, [but] from what I heard on the initial feedback, it's more a mechanical one," Binotto told media, including RacingNews365.com . "I cannot give you more details than that." With Carlos Sainz retiring from the race a few laps earlier due to an engine failure, Binotto conceded that Leclerc's dramas were too much to watch. "I have to admit I was very nervous," he went on to comment. "I was disappointed as well for what happened to Carlos, but so nervous that I stopped watching the race in the last three laps!"
How Ferrari got the better of Red Bull in the race
Having lost out to Red Bull in the Sprint, Ferrari held the upper hand over their rivals throughout the 71-lap main event. While he thinks the two cars are closely matched, Binotto pointed to tyre degradation as the deciding factor this time out. "I think in terms of pure speed, it's very similar, and qualifying is proving it," said Binotto, when asked to assess the pecking order. "I don't think there is much difference between the two cars, if any [in Austria] it was in terms of tyre degradation. In the Sprint, I think we had a bit more - let me say - [of an] advantage on tyre degradation. "It was even more evident [in the Grand Prix], because we started putting pressure on Max at the race start, and forcing him to have more pace and degrading more the tyres."
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