Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll needed more help from their teams to avoid the incidents at Ascari during the Italian Grand Prix, according to FIA race director Michael Masi.

Vettel was hit by Leclerc after the Ferrari driver pulled onto the track in the middle of the corner after spinning. Stroll then forced Pierre Gasly off the track when he rejoined the track.

Both drivers incurred penalties for the incidents. Masi said the pair should have been more “cautious” but added “the teams obviously have a bit to play” in helping them avoid collisions.

Masi pointed out the teams have access to data which they could have used to instruct their drivers when it was safe to rejoin.

“They have all the GPS [Global Positioning System], all the positioning. It was obviously broadcast live, [they’re] getting all the same pictures that we all got. So there’s all of those tools at the team’s disposal.

“The onus is between the driver, one, [and] two, in that situation the teams to help them.”

Vettel said the high cockpit sides in his Ferrari meant he couldn’t see Stroll coming as he rejoined.

“Coming back I knew there would be a gap but I struggled a little bit to get out. I think I was stuck on the grass, so I lost a bit of momentum there and that took a little bit longer.

“So certainly not ideal but I couldn’t see anything looking to the left. Obviously it is compromised because we have the high cockpit but I don’t think it’s an option to drop that.”

Stroll also said he had “no visibility on my right side” when he came onto the track in front of Gasly. “There’s nothing at the moment you can do with these cars. It’s just a bit of a guessing game when we’re in that position.”

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2019 F1 season