F1 GP winner says: Ferrari may blunder strategy 'McLaren will test them'

F1 News

Johnny Herbert believes McLaren will test Ferrari at Monaco Grand Prix
26 May at 09:26
Last update 26 May at 10:05
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  • Toby Nixon

Ex-Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert believes that McLaren will test the Ferrari strategy during the Monaco Grand Prix following Ferrari's previous strategy errors in the principality. But Herbert also knows the Ferrari team has changed significantly over the last two years and feels they are better prepared.

Charles Leclerc will start on pole after a stunning lap on Saturday, but he has previously lost the win from pole in Monaco before. In 2022, Ferrari squandered a certain victory in the pitlane, and the three-time Grand Prix winner believes they may do it again whilst under pressure from McLaren. 

"They’re going to get tested by McLaren," said Herbert in conversation with BestPokerSites.ltd. "The undercut is something that has been important in the past so that’s very important for Oscar to be close behind Charles but then it’s the reaction of Ferrari at the same time. It could be a chess game between those two. Then you’ve got Carlos just behind with Lando who could take a risk into turn one." 

Herbert: 'Starting from pole position exactly what you'll need to do'

The Ferrari team has changed significantly over the last two years. After multiple strategy blunders, various changes were made on the pitwall. Ignacio Rueda, leader of the strategy team, was replaced at the start of 2024. Team boss Fred Vasseur has now also applied his vision to the team. Herbert sees these changes making a positive change.

"It’s a different Ferrari because they have a better strategy. They’d made some poor decisions in the past which cost them points which has been confusing for us to understand. Fred Vasseur has been able to put them in a better place, it’s not perfect but it’s much stronger. We all know that in Monaco, starting from pole position is exactly what you’ll need to do," concluded Herbert.