Ferrari Formula 1 team principal Fred Vasseur applauded Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli for his “right reaction” to his crash with Charles Leclerc at the Dutch Grand Prix.
The Italian driver apologised to Vasseur after he understeered into Leclerc, ending the Ferrari driver’s race.
“Yes, he came and apologised to me as Charles wasn’t there,” Vasseur explained, agreeing that the 10-second penalty was enough.
“I appreciate this – it can happen. It’s not easy to overtake in Zandvoort; you must take risks. He took a risk, made a mistake, and apologised. That’s the right reaction. For me, it was a racing incident.”
On lap 53, Antonelli went for the overtake on the Monegasque at the banked Turn 3, diving down the inside. But he understeered into the side of Leclerc, sending the Ferrari driver into a spin against the barriers. Antonelli was handed a 10-second penalty for the incident.
“I just saw it and it’s a shame because the pace was good, we were coming back in front. I knew that was probably the best chance I had to make the move because I was very close to him, he had a colder tyre,” Antonelli explained after the race.
“I just tried to move, but it was a bit too much. When I saw he was coming back in front, I tried to let it go but it was not enough.”
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Photo by: Gabriele Lanzo / Alessio Morgese / NurPhoto via Getty Images
He added: “I went for it because it’s so difficult to overtake. The more laps you do in dirty air, the more it hurts your tyre and your pace. I went for it and it was a bit too much.
“Now I’m just relooking at it. I just tried at some point to let it go but it was not enough. Obviously I feel sorry to him. Next time I’ll probably think twice before making the move. Unless I’m 100% sure I’m going to stick it.”
Ferrari will look to put the Dutch Grand Prix behind it after a disappointing double DNF and look ahead to its home race at Monza on 5-7 September for the Italian Grand Prix.
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