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Binotto happy with brave decision to put Leclerc on hards at Monza

Binotto happy with "brave" decision to put Leclerc on hards at Monza

12-09-2019 18:28
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Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto has praised the "brave" decision to put Charles Leclerc onto hard tyres during the Italian Grand Prix as the Monegasque took the first Ferrari win in Italy for almost a decade.

Leclerc was vulnerable to Lewis Hamilton following the pit stops, with the Mercedes driver on the softer medium tyres, but Leclerc managed to hold on to the win to send the Tifosi crazy.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the race, Binotto said: “We knew that the wear would have been critical, the rear soft tyres were almost to the end on the first stint, and we believed the best way to protect was to be on the hard.

“We knew we could at least try to defend the position on the straights. But we needed to have the right pace at the end so I think it was a brave decision but the right decision.

“Too long we are not winning here, but we know as well it is very difficult, today has been very tight and tough again, probably starting on pole and staying ahead in the race has been the key factor. So I’m very happy, very very happy."