Vasseur on Leclerc's radio messages: "We will discuss it"

Ferrari settled for third and fourth place on the streets of Las Vegas behind Mercedes untouchable. Able to compete with poleman and eventual winner George Russell at the very start of the race, Charles Leclerc then saw his pace completely collapse due to excessive wear on his tires.

« Charles was behind Russell, when he tried to pass him during a lap he blew everything up, explains Frédéric Vasseur, Ferrari team principal. It was towards the end of our stint on the mediums, the drivers also have to trust their feelings. It's not easy. »

« At the end of the first stint, in the space of four or five laps, we lost something like 10 seconds and if you stop, you find yourself in the middle of the pack. Then you have to overtake everyone. That's what happened with Carlos (Sainz), we had to wait for the others to stop. It's a tricky situation, but that's how it is. »

Fourth at the checkered flag behind Sainz, Charles Leclerc launched into an explosive diatribe on the radio: " I did my job, as always, but being nice gets me in trouble every time. Every time. It's not even about being nice, but respectful. I don't know I'm supposed to say anything, but it's always the same! »

The reason for this anger seems to be on the 31st lap of the race. As he was leaving the pit lane following his second stop, Leclerc was informed on the radio that his teammate, who had already made his second stop, had been ordered not to put the Monegasque under pressure.

Problem: The Madrilenian immediately overtook the car No. 16. Leclerc then told his engineer that they should perhaps try to speak to Sainz in Spanish. Frédéric Vasseur was asked whether this message of frustration could come from this situation: " Maybe yes, because we have to avoid fighting at this stage. Carlos was already on the third or fourth lap on this relay. It's mainly the fact that the situation was really difficult for everyone. We will discuss it. »

A situation that did not change the final result for the team, since " Mercedes was faster " judges Vasseur. It is 24 points behind McLaren that the Scuderia will tackle the next meeting of the season, this weekend in Qatar.

« On paper, Qatar is not the best place for us, but we are confident in our ability to do a good job, believes the Frenchman. Let's stay focused, try to do our best and keep McLaren under pressure for the last race. It's important because anything can happen in the last race and we will push until the last corner of the last lap of the last race. »

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