Ferrari Drivers Cleared the Air After Zandvoort Controversy

Ferrari was one of the underwhelming performers in the Dutch Grand Prix. Both of their drivers missed out on a podium finish, with Lewis Hamilton crossing the line fourth and Charles Leclerc finishing fifth.

Aside from lagging behind McLaren and Mercedes in pace, Ferrari's strategy in Zandvoort gave the Tifosi more questions than answers. 

But it's a good thing that the air has been cleared within the team. In an interview with Italian media Gazzetta dello Sport, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said that he talked with Hamilton and Leclerc right after the race weekend. He went on to say that it's difficult to manage two excellent drivers at the "peak of their performance", but having clear discussions with them does help.

Ferrari went through a tense radio session during the latter stages of the Dutch GP. Hamilton was running an offset strategy on fresher tyres, with a chance at overtaking either Mercedes driver, George Russell or Kimi Antonelli, for a podium finish. 

But the seven-time World Champion got held up behind Leclerc, who stayed out an extra lap. If Leclerc pitted immediately or possibly let Hamilton pass, Ferrari would have a better shot at a podium. Instead, Hamilton had to express some sarcasm over the radio, saying that it was a "great waste of time."

The tension didn't end there. Hamilton was forced to stay out later in the race, despite his fading tyres. He was anxious for the team to pit him, even questioning if he'd been used as a "guinea pig." Fortunately for Hamilton, he made his final pit stop under a Virtual Safety Car, allowing him to stay in front of Leclerc.

Vasseur justified Ferrari's decision not to communicate the strategy to Hamilton, as they wanted to gain an advantage over Mercedes and McLaren.

With the Zandvoort confusion now dusted off, everyone in the Ferrari garage is now looking forward to their home race in Monza. They have another upgrade available under the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) program, which would give their engine a proper boost.

Hamilton is currently holding a 28-point lead over his teammate and trailing championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 59 points. If Leclerc can't gain ground on Hamilton in Monza, we might see the Ferrari pit wall put its full weight behind Hamilton's potential championship chase.