Strategy was the topic of discussion after the Formula 1 Monaco Grand prix rather than Ferrari’s double win in the Principality. Still Sebastian Vettel defended his team’s strategy, which let him pass Kimi Raikkonen during the first round of pitstops.
“We couldn’t plan much, the plan was to try and pull away, which we did”, Sebastian Vettel said. “Then Valtteri had really good pace, we were struggling more with our rears and at that point the window opened. So Valtteri obviously pitted, Kimi responded, for me I think I still had a bit of a gap, nothing to lose in P2, so I tried to push as hard as possible. Within two laps I was surprised myself to be able to pull a gap to be able to come out in front.”
“I could control the race, after the restart it was really tricky with the cold tyres, I think everyone else was really struggling. At Turn 1 first (restart) lap, it was really difficult but after a couple of laps I was able to control the gap behind. It’s a fantastic job the team has done, credit to them, fantastic weekend for Ferrari.”
Meanwhile Kimi Räikkönen said he could not explain why the team called him in the box in the 34th of 78 laps
After the tyre change he came out in traffic and lost the lead.
“I’m trying to figure out something that is impossible to know right now, at least from my side. It obviously wasn’t ideal to end up behind a lapped car, it’s something that definitely doesn’t help. But the end result is what it is, so I have to see, we just finished the race. For the team it’s good, but not for myself”, Raikkonen commented.
Kimi was asked if he would consider ignoring team instructions in the future. The Finn replied that if a driver does not believe what he is told or how the team works, the situation gets “very complicated”.
“We always try to work as best as we can”, he added. “As a team we wanted a 1-2, which happened, but for myself… Like I said, we just finished the race. Who knows? I guess there’s some reason for everything that happens in life, but we’ll have to see.”
Kimi – diplomatic, as ever #MonacoGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/X5lHeKRyQA
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 28, 2017
Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene emphasized on the end result for the whole crew
“This one-two is a great result for the entire team, on a track that highlights the qualities of the car and the person driving it”, Arrivabene pointed out. “Both our drivers performed like champions. Starting from pole, Kimi led the race up until his pit stop, which took place on the planned lap. Seb stayed out for a few more laps to cover [Daniel] Ricciardo. Vettel’s times were exceptional on ultrasofts that had done a lot of laps.
“As for Kimi, unfortunately he lost a bit too much time behind a backmarker. The most important aspect of the race is that all the hard work carried out by the guys at the track was rewarded, as was the fact that our car was so well conceived back in Maranello. Now, it’s already time for us to think of the forthcoming Grand Prix in Canada.”
The Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne was obviously pleased. He said that this victory will be part of the Scuderia’s history.
