Formula 1: Ferrari’s staff members refused to celebrate Carlos Sainz’s British Grand Prix victory as things are not looking good at the Italian side. Former Ferrari press officer Alberto Antonini claimed a source from the team told him that some members of the group didn’t want to join the Spaniard at the podium. Follow Formula 1 Updates and Austrian Grand Prix Live on InsideSport.IN.
Antonini feels ‘this is not a good sign’ as the common interest of the team should be winning even if one of their drivers claims the triumph. “I have been told and I trust the source an ugly episode that occurred in the immediate aftermath of the Silverstone race,” Antonini said.
“Part of the Ferrari staff allegedly refused, at least initially, to attend the podium ceremony and photo op. If true, as I fear, this is not a good sign. A little healthy rivalry inside the garage is fine, it is fine for each mechanic and each technician to cheer for ‘his’ driver, but the common interest must be to aim to win,” Antonini added.
CARLOS SAINZ WINS THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX 🏆
His first ever F1 win! #F1 #BritishGP pic.twitter.com/wFUwrBpQZl
— Silverstone (@SilverstoneUK) July 3, 2022
Meanwhile, Leclerc seemed to be in a situation to win the British Grand Prix to capitalize on Max Verstappen’s issues. The Monegasque seemed to have the speed to win yet Ferrari permitted their drivers to decently race.
Moreover, Leclerc was ultimately let through to fight Lewis Hamilton however he was still on his old hard tyres after a late safety car period. However, the Ferrari star was left behind by others when pitted for new softs and dropped out of the podium to finish fourth overall.
Furthermore, immediately after the race got concluded, Leclerc criticized his team on the radio and said, “The amount of race time we have lost in this race is…oh my God. The only good thing about today is Carlos won but frickin’ hell, guys! Anyway, enjoy the victory.”
At the Parc Ferme, the Monegasque driver was seen in a heated argument with Ferrari’s team principal Mattia Binotto. Meanwhile, the group chief was seen waving his finger in front of Leclerc in an evident bid to prevent him from criticizing the group further post-race. Hence, it comes all at once of tense examination of Ferrari in Italy after a promising season has gone bad.
Meanwhile, Leclerc was leading Verstappen by around 50 points after the Australian Grand Prix But since then he has lost his lead to the Dutch driver. Two mechanical disappointments and a line of strategic failures falling against Leclerc have cost the group with Red Bull now first and second in the drivers’ standings.
Checo closes the gap to Max 👀#BritishGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/rq1pDilxm7
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 3, 2022
