Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has defended the team’s decision to implement team orders during the Austrian Grand Prix, despite Carlos Sainz expressing his dissatisfaction with the outcome.
Ferrari had a strong weekend at the Red Bull Ring, with both Sainz and his teammate Charles Leclerc qualifying in the top three. Sainz initially appeared to have better pace than Leclerc, but his requests to swap positions with his teammate were rejected by the Ferrari pit wall.
During the race, Sainz experienced a slow pit stop under a Virtual Safety Car period, which further hindered his chances of a better result. He ultimately finished sixth, while Leclerc secured second place and Ferrari’s second podium finish of the 2023 season.
Sainz expressed his frustration with Ferrari’s race management, feeling that his strong performance and adherence to the team game were not rewarded. However, Vasseur defended the team’s decision, stating that it was a pre-race strategy agreed upon by the team and drivers. The strategy aimed to utilize the DRS effect to build a gap to the cars behind and secure their positions behind the dominant Red Bull of Max Verstappen.
Vasseur praised the team for executing the strategy perfectly and highlighted Ferrari’s improved pace since introducing a major upgrade package at the Spanish Grand Prix. He acknowledged the need for further progress to challenge Verstappen for race wins.
Despite Ferrari’s recent resurgence, Vasseur emphasized that the competition in the midfield is still close, rejecting the notion that Ferrari has pulled ahead of its rivals. He recognized that both Mercedes and Aston Martin will continue to develop their cars, and Ferrari must maintain its momentum and pace to remain competitive.
While Sainz’s frustration is understandable, Ferrari prioritized their strategic approach based on the circumstances of the race. Protecting their podium positions against the cars behind was seen as the most sensible strategy, considering Verstappen’s dominance. Unfortunately for Sainz, a slow pit stop and a post-race penalty for exceeding track limits further hampered his chances.
