F1: Ferrari denies strategy risked tires

Ferrari Formula 1 team boss Maurizio Arrivabene says there was nothing "stupid or crazy" about the one-stop strategy that ended in tire failure for Sebastian Vettel when set for third.

Vettel changed from softs to mediums on lap 14 of the 43-lap race and was trying to run to the finish when his right rear tire gave way on the Kemmel Straight on the penultimate lap. Although Vettel was the only driver to try a one-stop tactic in a race Pirelli had suggested would require two tire changes, Arrivabene said the decision was based on solid data that the tires would last.

"The strategy was absolutely right," he said. "I want to clear that up immediately, because when we do the strategy we have the data, and the data is based on the strategy.

"Seb is of course disappointed. When you have one and a half laps and you can see the third position on the podium and you are going to lose it suddenly of course you are disappointed. But I tell you the strategy normally, even if aggressive, is based on clear data.

"We are not so stupid or crazy to take a risk for the driver if you are not reading quite well the data."

Arrivabene said Ferrari had gone into the race planning one stop for Vettel rather than adopting the strategy as the grand prix unfolded.

"It was our main plan before the race. We decided that at 11 o'clock this morning," he said.

He insisted there was no warning from Pirelli during the race of any potential problem.

"All the teams have an engineer from Pirelli, and what do you think that engineer is doing?" Arrivabene said. "He's not there to chew chewing gum, he's there to check the tires and to read the data from the team."

Although Vettel was vociferous in his criticism of Pirelli after the race, Arrivabene said he preferred not to comment on the tire manufacturer's products.

"I don't want to open any kind of fight. I don't want to start a story going back and forwards," he said.

Originally on Autosport.com