Ferrari Boss Explains Q3 Tow Decision Involving Hamilton at Monza

Why it matters: Ferrari's Controversial Tow Call

Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur has clarified why the team opted not to use Lewis Hamilton, despite his grid penalty, to provide a crucial tow for Charles Leclerc during the final Q3 lap at Monza. This decision sparked considerable debate, especially given Leclerc's narrow miss for pole position.

The context: A Missed Opportunity for Pole

Leclerc ultimately missed out on pole by a mere 215 thousandths of a second, securing fourth place in qualifying. Hamilton, who finished fifth, faced a five-place grid penalty, dropping him to tenth for the race. Max Verstappen masterfully secured pole position, highlighting Ferrari's struggle to challenge for the top spot at their home race.

Vasseur's Rationale: Team Harmony Over Tow

When pressed on why Ferrari opted for individual laps instead of a tow strategy, Vasseur explained the team's thinking:

• Sacrificing a car: A tow strategy often necessitates sacrificing one driver's lap time, which can negatively impact team morale.
• Uncertainty of outcome: "It could work, but it also could not work at all," Vasseur stated, emphasizing the risk involved.
• Prioritizing tire preparation: "The tire preparation is so important today that we decided to be forced on our own race." Vasseur noted that focusing on a tow can distract a driver from crucial tire management.

Hamilton's Perspective: Protecting His Own Race

Lewis Hamilton himself commented on the situation, stating, "It's not something I ever did in any of my other teams." He added, "Ultimately, potentially, you end up sacrificing one of the drivers. And I've already got a five-place penalty, so points wise I needed to be as high as I could."