Ferrari endured a bruising weekend at the F1 Dutch GP, leaving Zandvoort without points after Lewis Hamilton slid into the barriers at turn 3 and Charles Leclerc collided with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli. The team recorded their first double DNF of the season. Team principal Fred Vasseur addressed both the strategy debate with Leclerc and the clash with Antonelli, while also appreciating the Italian’s decision to apologise.
Leclerc had lined up sixth on the grid as the Ferraris’ qualifying struggles were evident throughout the session. Race day was an altogether different story, though, as Ferrari’s pace was far more competitive.
After the first round of pit stops, the Ferrari driver was in fifth, chasing Isack Hadjar for fourth, but could not pass him on track and thought to undercut him and also cover the Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli behind.
The flashpoint came when Ferrari called Leclerc into the pits on lap 52. The Monegasque had questioned the decision on the radio, feeling his tyres were still in good shape. Post-race, when probed about whether Fred Vasseur agrees with Leclerc’s words, he stood by the choice, insisting it was the only way to gain track position.
“Yes and no. It’s always easy to have a different view on the strategy after the race. Honestly, that it was the only way we had to fight with Hadjar at this stage, to have a different option or at least to try to undercut.
“And I think it was the right call at this stage, but now, for sure, when you see the outlap, you can have a different perception of this.”
Vasseur appreciates Antonelli’s personal apology after Ferrari crash
Having just emerged from the pits on fresh soft tyres, Leclerc found himself ahead of Antonelli when the Mercedes man lunged at Turn 3. The rookie carried too much speed, understeered wide, and clipped Leclerc’s rear left tyre, ending the Ferrari’s race on the spot. The Ferrari man then spent the rest of the race on the sidelines, over the grass, watching the race unfold from there.
Post-race, Antonelli held his hands up straight after the race, admitting it was his fault. He went to the Ferrari motorhome to apologise to Leclerc and Ferrari for the incident, a gesture which Fred admired a lot.
“Yes, he came. He came to apologise to Charles. Charles was not there, but he came to me.
“And honestly, I appreciate this, because this can happen. I think it’s not so easy to overtake in Zandvoort. It means that you have also to take risks.
“He took a risk. But then to come and to say, guys, ‘sorry, my mistake,’ I think it’s a good reaction. I think it’s also a race incident for me, that when you are in this situation, you know that you have one or two attempts maximum. Anyway, that’s all.”
Ferrari’s double DNF proved costly in the Constructors’ Championship. With Mercedes banking valuable points through George Russell’s fourth place, the Scuderia’s advantage was cut to just 12.
The Maranello squad must now regroup for their home race at Monza, a special occasion for both the team and the tifosi. Ferrari have also unveiled a new livery and race suits in tribute to their legend and three-time world champion, Niki Lauda.
