Ferrari willing to priortise Vettel over Leclerc
New Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto says the team is open to giving Sebastian Vettel “priority” over team-mate Charles Leclerc during the first races of 2019.
Ferrari has undergone a tweak to its driver line-up this season, with Leclerc promoted to the Scuderia as a replacement for the outgoing Kimi Raikkonen.
The Italian outfit, who has often been criticised for its public team order policy, was blasted last year for not getting fully behind Vettel’s push against Lewis Hamilton for the drivers’ title.
Ferrari’s hesitance cost them badly in the championship run-in, and while Binotto insists there is “no prejudice” in not giving Leclerc equal treatment, he made it clear that the team’s main priority is to win.
Speaking at the launch of Ferrari’s 2019 car, Binotto said, as quoted by Motorsport.com: “I think it’s normal, especially early in the season, that if there are particular situations our priority will be Sebastian.
“He is the guide with which we aim for the championship. But there’s no prejudice – the absolute priority is for Ferrari to win.”
Vettel’s partnership with Raikkonen over four years was known to avoid any particular mind games or inter-team squabbles, but Binotto doesn’t see Leclerc’s arrival provoking a divide in the team.
“To have a driver pairing so competitive I think it’s not a problem but an opportunity,” he said.
“Sebastian has little to prove, and he remains our guide. Charles still has to learn, as pointed out by himself, but we know how talented he is.
“Anyway, I hope to have this problem of having two drivers to manage among the top positions.”