Ferrari workforce principal Fred Vasseur says he was stunned by McLaren’s method to the Italian Grand Prix that opened the door for Charles Leclerc to take victory.
Leclerc had already taken benefit of the 2 McLarens preventing on the primary lap to overhaul Lando Norris for second place, however the tempo of the primary stint additionally caught Ferrari out as a result of it was focusing on a one-stop technique. Pitting Leclerc early to answer Norris’ first pit cease might have modified that method, however Vasseur says it quickly grew to become clear Ferrari might nonetheless run to the top and safe a well-known win.
“I’m making an attempt on the pit wall to keep away from fascinated about if it’s potential or not,” Vasseur mentioned. “We’re managing the hole, we’re giving goal lap occasions to the drivers and never considering an excessive amount of if it’s potential or not.
“However it’s true that the race was fairly unusual as a result of we began aiming for one cease after which McLaren pushed a bit greater than anticipated within the first stint. After which Norris struggled earlier than us and he needed to pit, we wished to cowl him and to remain in the identical race as them as a result of we had the sensation at this stage that we had a bonus on the tires.
“However the benefit was so good that after 10 laps with the exhausting [tire] it was clear for us that we might go till the top. Then you definately by no means know, as a result of you’ll be able to have a cliff at one stage. However it was not the case and it was fairly properly managed by the 2 guys, and on the finish of the day they have been capable of obtain the goal lap time every lap and really persistently.
“We’re doing the calculation on what we might give as much as Piastri every lap and to repair some goal to Charles, and solely within the final lap I mentioned, ‘OK now we’re secure’, as a result of for the final lap we had one thing like 4 seconds and then you definately begin to consider reliability. However we attempt to keep targeted – it’s not at all times simple nevertheless it’s a very powerful factor to do and to not assume an excessive amount of concerning the podium, as a result of that could be a mistake.”
As a lot as Vasseur was making an attempt to keep away from feelings in the course of the race itself, he says Monza is among the most vital races for Ferrari to win even when the factors return is identical.
“For positive, it’s one,” he mentioned. “For Ferrari and for Charles to win in Monaco, to win in Monza, I believe in all probability with Imola they’re the 2 or three that you simply wish to take within the season. However it’s extra emotional than mathematical on the finish of the day, you might be [not] scoring extra factors in Monza than in Baku – mathematically talking it’s a win.
“Emotionally talking, for positive it’s crucial as a result of we had big assist from the start of the week, from the tifosi. Beginning on Monday on the manufacturing unit in Maranello, we had lots of of individuals in entrance of the doorway, and the easiest way to pay them again was to win.
“It’s not ever simple, it’s not at all times beneath management, nevertheless it was the easiest way for the workforce to pay again everybody for his or her assist.”