Charles Leclerc reiterated that Ferrari’s team orders blunder in the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix did not matter, as the team were not battling for “sexier positions”.
Leclerc finished ninth in Baku, just behind team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who, it was revealed after the race, was supposed to allow the Monegasque through.
The decision arose from Leclerc’s original deference to Hamilton, letting the Brit by in a bid for him to attack Lando Norris.
When an overtake on the McLaren was not forthcoming, the team requested Hamilton give the position back, but the seven-time World Champion failed to so.
Hamilton later apologised, explaining that he was “zoned in” on Norris and the call came very late, but insisted it “won’t happen again.”
Leclerc, when asked about the incident, said he “[didn’t] mind,” as it was only for eighth and ninth place.
Expanding on the issue, Leclerc admitted that it was a failure on Hamilton’s part, but elaborated the low grade points positions on offer rendered the situation somewhat irrelevant.
“There are rules that we know we’ve got to work with, and maybe those rules were not respected,” he said.
“But again, P8, P9, P9, P8, that’s small going forward.
“Obviously, if we are fighting for sexier oppositions, which I hope will be the case, then I hope that we will work differently, but on a day like this, honestly, I don’t really mind.”
The Baku weekend was somewhat of a write-off for the Scuderia, after a weekend which promised further progress after Hamilton and Leclerc went first and second in FP2.
Hamilton blamed a strategy call on his failure to make it through Q2, with Leclerc crashing early in Q3 to leave him starting 10th.
READ MORE – Lando Norris quashes ‘opportunity missed’ notion after F1 Azerbaijan GP disappointment
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