Ferrari Defends Team Orders at Miami Grand Prix
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur addressed the controversial team orders issued during the Miami Grand Prix, emphasizing that decisions were made strategically rather than out of indecision. The race saw Ferrari swap drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in an attempt to enhance their chances against Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes.
During the latter stages of the race, Hamilton, after a brief charge, was unable to catch Antonelli, leading to Leclerc being reinstated to his original position. Ultimately, Leclerc closed the gap but lacked the time to mount a challenge.
Both Leclerc and Hamilton expressed their dissatisfaction with the team’s strategy, with Hamilton critiquing the timing of the decisions and Leclerc feeling uncomfortable with the proximity of Carlos Sainz from Williams. Vasseur acknowledged their frustrations, citing that championship drivers expect to compete fiercely.
"The question is not to swap and then swap back if you don’t get the guy who is in front of you," Vasseur explained. He reiterated that Ferrari’s obligation is to prioritize team policy while gauging the true performance of drivers—whether the trailing car is genuinely quicker or merely benefiting from DRS.
Vasseur further clarified that radio delays could misrepresent the team’s decision-making process, stating, "The radio transmission… is managed by FOM, meaning some requests might be broadcasted half a lap later."
Despite the criticism, Vasseur stood firm on the decision, offering a measured defense of the team’s approach while acknowledging that adjustments might have been beneficial. "It’s much easier to assess these calls retrospectively. We did what we had to do," he concluded.
