Ferrari Slammed for “Demoralizing” Charles Leclerc With “Absurd Strategy” That Cost US GP Podium

Another Sprint weekend in 2023, another good result for Charles Leclerc. At least that’s what it looked like until Ferrari decided to go back to its usual ways: Another race weekend, another Ferrari strategy blunder. When will the Monegasque catch a break? After Friday’s qualifying, Leclerc set himself up for the best view to Turn 1 on Sunday. Clinching his third pole position of the season and with Max Verstappen quite far back, it could’ve and should’ve been a good weekend for Leclerc. For many, Charles Leclerc is a 10… but he holds out hope for a seamless race on Sunday. 

The Monegasque started in P1 and finished in P6. Verstappen started in P6 and crossed the line in P1. Verstappen’s result was almost a given, but Leclerc’s P6? Who saw that coming? Everyone. And with the “absurd strategy” Ferrari employed, especially Pierre Gasly.

Ferrari let a podium finish with Charles Leclerc slip through its fingers

Even though Verstappen started sixth, another race win for him wasn’t out of the question. Starting in P1, a podium for Leclerc wasn’t out of the question. Off the line, Lando Norris overtook the Monegasque for P1, and a few laps later, Leclerc was in P3. As the laps ticked by, he dropped to P4, and all his main competitors—Norris, Lewis Hamilton, and Verstappen—pitted for fresh tires. Instead of following suit, Ferrari kept him out to do a one-stop strategy.

Here’s the problem. While a one-stop strategy may seem like the fastest way to get to the finish line, it wasn’t. Especially not for Ferrari, a team that struggles with tire degradation. Ferrari went in with the mindset that it would do a one-stop and didn’t waver even when it should’ve. The team should’ve known better because Pierre Gasly definitely did. In a post-race interview, the Frenchman revealed Leclerc came to him and asked if he was doing a one-stopper as well. Gasly’s reaction? “No f**king way.” 

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In the end, it didn’t work in Leclerc’s favor (shocker!). Ferrari could’ve very well changed his strategy and ensured a podium finish for the Monegasque. But it didn’t, and former engineer Luigi Mazzola called the Scuderia out for it. As reported by Formula Passion, he wrote, “Ferrari managed to miss out on a probable podium with an absurd strategy and Leclerc went from first to sixth. Poor Charles, the team is demoralizing him more and more.” [Translated by Google]

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The misery for Leclerc didn’t end there. As furious as he was at his team for running his chances, that was only the tip of the iceberg for his Sunday struggles.

Leclerc’s Sunday went from bad to worse

After crossing the line, Leclerc said, “Couldn’t do any better with that strategy. I think I maximized everything.” His engineer replied, “You managed the tires well,” to which Leclerc lashed out, saying, “Doesn’t matter when we have such a sh*t result.” It was a race Leclerc would want to forget, especially because of what followed. After the race, the FIA scrutineered his car (among others) for irregularities. 

The governing body found that the plank wear on his and Hamilton’s car was higher than the legal limit. After a race, the plank on the floor shouldn’t be less than 9mm in thickness. Their’s was obviously lesser and both of them were disqualified. Hamilton was stripped of his P2 and Leclerc of his P6. What’s worse for Leclerc is that Norris has overtaken him in the Drivers’ Standings as well. Hamilton and Leclerc collaborated on Instagram and posted a picture with the caption “mood.”

WATCH THIS STORY | How Long Will Charles Leclerc Wait for Ferrari – Will He Leave for Some Other team Post-2024? 

Do you think the fact that Charles Leclerc got disqualified makes Ferrari’s strategic blunder easier to digest?