Vasseur defends Ferrari 'risk' for Monza podium

Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur has defended the teams decision to risk its potential podium finish in the closing stages of the Italian Grand Prix.

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc had a fierce battle in the closing stages of the race, with the team saying they could race but take "no risks" after Sainz requested they call the fight off with three laps remaining.

Despite a few moves with Leclerc at Turn 1, followed by a near-miss into the Della Roggia chicane which nearly took both drivers out, Sainz managed to hold his teammate off to take the podium, his first of the season.

When asked why they chose to risk the podium with George Russell close behind, Vasseur told media, including RacingNews365: "If I froze the situation, I would have had exactly the same criticism: 'Ah why did you freeze? It's not the spirit of the race.'

"It’s much easier to comment when you have a happy end, but I think it was also the best way to thank everybody and the support of the Tifosi.

"I was not very comfortable to freeze something five laps before the end – I trust them, but I told them no risk at all."

Vassuer more comfortable with letting drivers race

Leclerc claimed it was one of the more enjoyable races of the season, while also stating that Sainz was "on the limit" for most of the defensive moves.

Vasseur claims he was more comfortable with letting his drivers sort out the position on track, even if there were a few close calls.

"I wanted to have the last call. I told them ‘no risk, you can race, but no risk’ and again, it’s relative," he said.

"But I was much more comfortable with the situation than to freeze something."