Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were in a neck-and-neck race for third place in the final stages of the Italian Grand Prix. Quite a few saw an accident between teammates, including ex-Formula 1 driver Timo Glock.
“The fight for the podium between Sergio Perez, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc was really great sport,” said Timo Glock in his capacity as “Sky” expert after the race in Monza: “In the end I was really afraid that the two Ferraris knock each other out.”
Sainz and Leclerc fought an intense duel for the place behind the two Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. More than once they missed contact – which could have led to a serious accident and destroyed the Ferrari podium.
“They really gave it,” continued the 91-time Formula 1 starter: “They fought hard for the podium that both really wanted at the home Grand Prix. Luckily it went well there if centimeters were missing, then Charles Leclerc would have cleared Carlos Sainz. Frederic Vasseur certainly had an increased heart rate.”
Formula 1: Vasseur defends Ferrari strategy
But the Ferrari team boss had meanwhile left himself after the race and explained that they wanted to give the home audience a spectacle. “I’m a big fan of just letting them race. I enjoyed the last few laps and I hope the fans do too.”
At the same time, he defended the Reds’ strategy of not having given any stable orders: “No, that wasn’t too much of a risk. Now isn’t the time for a polemical discussion. If we freeze the position, everyone will complain.”
Ultimately, the cars remained intact and Sainz crossed the finish line in third place in front of Leclerc. Vasseur summed it up: “For us it was an important weekend here in Monza with the Tifosi, with the sponsors, with the pole, getting a car on the podium, being back in the World Championship. We take that as positive news. We knew , Monza will be a good track for us, now we have to make a step forward on the other tracks as well.”