Vasser: Maybe we should have pitted a lap earlier

In theory, Ferrari had a chance to win the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and both drivers could have reached the podium, but the circumstances were such that Charles Leclerc finished second and Carlos Sainz retired three laps from the finish after a collision with Sergio Perez.

In any case, we have to admit that the Scuderia has clearly improved, and Leclerc’s four consecutive podium finishes confirm this, including his victory at Monza. And although he won pole position and finished second in Baku, Ferrari’s performance left a mixed impression. Partly because Oscar Piastri was able to stay ahead of Leclerc on the track, after which the Monegasque never recovered.

“I think we probably made a mistake on the last lap before the pit stop. We didn’t perform well on the first lap after the pit stop and then the race was lost,” admitted Vasseur, the Italian team boss. – If we could restart the race from the very beginning, maybe it would be worth pitting one lap earlier?

But what happened is what happened and we need to learn a lesson so we can do better next time. Probably at that stage of the race it was influenced by the fact that Charles didn’t do a long run of laps during practice.

But that is now in the past. Overall, second place is a good result, although of course there is some disappointment, because our pace allowed us to count on victory.”

According to Vasseur, the team itself carried out the pit stop normally, but on the lap before him and on the lap leaving the pits, Leclerc lost about a second, after which Piastri overtook him and the Scuderia driver was unable to regain his leading position, despite all attempts.

Charles at least reached the podium, while his teammate had a very nasty accident while fighting with Perez for 3rd place. However, the stewards let this incident go without consequences, because they believed that none of the participants could be held primarily responsible for what happened.

“The most important thing is that Carlos is doing well, even if he feels a bit uncomfortable,” Vasseur said. – I haven’t analysed this incident in detail yet, but I think it all started on the straight between turns 2 and 3 in a slipstream behind Charles’ car. Carlos and Perez’s cars were very close to the track. I have the impression that they were both trying to take advantage of the slipstream, and even then there was almost contact between them.”