Frederic Vasseur has revealed that Ferrari's contra-strategy in the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix was pushed for by the drivers and was a "gamble." Starting 10th and 11th in Montreal, both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz ran the Medium tyres in the first stint, but did not pit under the George Russell Safety Car. This had the advantage of getting both drivers up the order and track position, escaping the DRS train in which they were trapped. What Vasseur labelled a "gamble" worked as Leclerc and Sainz took fourth and fifth, salvaging a decent result after a poor Qualifying for the team.
Vasseur praises drivers
"You always have some hesitation, but both [drivers] told us they had the pace when not stuck in traffic and the potential was there," Vasseur told media including RacingNews365 of the decision to stay out. "They said: 'Just give us some clear air' and the best way to do it was not to pit, but it was a gamble because if you have another Safety Car 15 laps later, it is a bit more difficult." Sainz was told not to attack Leclerc during this stage of the race - but Vasseur denied the idea that it was team orders to "protect" Leclerc - as Ferrari sought to play the team game. "It was not that we wanted to protect someone," he said. 'The strategy at this time of the race was to push, to avoid losing time fighting together as we were trying to extend and create a gap to [Esteban] Ocon and [Lando] Norris. "To fight together and lose time would have been stupid. "They are free to race together, but in this situation, it would have penalised both cars."
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