US EditionLeclerc: Ferrari's Australian GP pit-stop gamble was a 'conscious choice'
- On Sunday at the Australian Grand Prix, Ferrari's strategy team decided not to pit under the first Virtual Safety Car, citing it was a deliberate choice, and Leclerc said 'I don't regret it'.
- Ferrari's strategists assessed additional safety periods before deciding to stay out, framing the non‑stop as a deliberate choice expecting more Virtual Safety Car periods.
- The VSC on lap 12 opened a pit window that Mercedes used while Ferrari kept Charles Leclerc out despite both Mercedes cars seizing the chance to pit after Isack Hadjar's stop.
- Later in the race a better‑timed VSC allowed Ferrari to pit, which Ferrari called 'a little bit unlucky', likely costing Leclerc a higher finish.
- Uncertainty around VSC timing raises strategic risk‑reward questions, as Leclerc acknowledged teams 'didn't know that this will happen', highlighting the unpredictability of race decisions.
38 Articles
38 Articles
The first race of this year's Formula 1 season did not disappoint. The big winner of the opening race weekend was Mercedes, who celebrated a double victory with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, while Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will leave Melbourne with a somewhat bitter taste. Although they initially looked great, they had to settle for third and fourth place. Ferrari's pit stop tactics in particular have received a lot of criticism, a…
Leclerc 'positively surprised' by Ferrari
Charles Leclerc said he was "positively surprised" by Ferrari's performance after coming third in Sunday's season-opener in Melbourne but admitted a lot of work was needed to reel in Mercedes. The Monaco driver started fourth on the grid but had a lightning start to surge past pole-sitter George Russell and his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli. It sparked a thrilling battle with the lead changing hands multiple times before Mercedes had a better…
The Independent
The Independent (US)Ferrari F1 boss explains questionable strategy call at Australian GP: ‘No regrets’
Ferrari opted not to pit both their drivers early on while Mercedes, who secured a one-two finish with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, did dive into the pits
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