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After listening to the parties involved, it can only be concluded that someone was lying yesterday at Ferrari. Or failing that, he didn't tell the whole truth. Neither Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel, the drivers, nor Mattia Binotto, the boss of all, who started the afternoon dreaming of a double in Sochi and ended up settling for a sad third place on the podium. The only good news is that at least, during the next two weeks, they have time in Maranello to talk long and hard before taking the flight to Japan. If they are not clear, anything can be expected again in Suzuka.

Yesterday's whole tangle can be summed up with three letters: A, B and C. They were the plans of Iñaki Rueda, the strategy chief of Scuderia .

Plan A focused on the exit, where Leclerc started from pole and Vettel in third position. The Monegasque would deliver his rebufo in the long straight for the benefit of the four-time champion, which in this way slowed the progress of Lewis Hamilton. Once completed, in the fourth round the first instructions were filtered by radio.

«We are studying how to change position. Seb will let you pass on the next lap, ”they explained to Leclerc. However, the German began to see it differently. «Try something else. Let's wait a couple of laps, ”he replied as he squeezed the engine at his partner's shock. The matter began to look too much like what was experienced a week ago, when Leclerc lost his temper and victory in Singapore.

"Bend down and focus"

Binotto then went to Plan B. “We will change a little later. Lewis is near. Now focus on your career, ”they snapped at Leclerc. "I get it. We had spoken that I gave him the rebufo and I respected him, but now it is difficult to reduce the gap, ”added the new idol of the typhoid with all the poise at his fingertips. With four seconds of deficit, his pace did not reach him. «Bow your head and focus. You're doing well, ”Vettel encouraged with a small mouth. Because in truth, at that time the ...

Plan C.

If they could not find a way to stop the German riot on the track, the sorpasso would materialize in the pits . With the classic undercut . On lap 21 they stopped Leclerc. Five later the former Red Bull, who had already cut the advantage exponentially. Everything seemed orderly at last. But the breakdown of Vettel in the hybrid part of its engine, added to the Virtual Safety Car opened the skies to Hamilton. He had a free stop to recover the lost ground and put himself in the lead. The last attack with soft wheels of Leclerc was no use.

"I have fulfilled"

«To be honest, I don't know exactly what happened. We had an agreement and I have fulfilled it. I talked to Charles before the race and I thought everything was pretty clear. I don't know, maybe I missed something, ”explained a fondly Vettel. When he was urged to provide more details, he reversed. «I'm sorry, but I prefer not to give further explanations. I don't want to leave the team in an awkward position. I know it's not fair because fans deserve to know, but it's not that bad, ”he added.

The previous meeting with Binotto was no use. «We agreed everything before and I have 100% confidence in the team. I will always trust Ferrari, ”said Leclerc. Its director chose to look forward: “Charles will have to be asked, but he was never close enough to Seb. Nothing will change. Now let's review the videos together and discuss ».

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