Ferrari Will Give Vettel "Priority" Over Leclerc if Rquired

Ferrari Will Give Vettel "Priority" Over Leclerc if Rquired

By: Francis Joseph

Ferrari is willing to proritise Sebastian Vettel over his new Formula 1 teammate Charles Leclerc if required in the early stages of the 2019 season.

The Scuderia has historically not shied away from team orders, and Vettel, who spearheaded its ultimately unsuccessful title challenges in the past two years, has often enjoyed preferential treatment over his now-former teammate Kimi Raikkonen when it came to strategy.

But the Italian team was criticised for its application of the policy last year, as it frustrated Raikkonen with overly vague instructions during the German Grand Prix and then allowed the Finn to battle Vettel at the start at Monza after a Ferrari front-row lock-out.

Ferrari's hesitant approach was regarded in sharp contrast to rival team Mercedes' handling of team orders in the Russian GP later that season.

Raikkonen is replaced by 2018 rookie star Charles Leclerc this year, but while the Monegasque has been tipped by many to give Vettel a tougher challenge, team boss Mattia Binotto has confirmed he would not have completely equal standing with the four-time world champion at the start of the season.

“I think it’s normal, especially early in the season, that if there are particular situations our priority will be Sebastian,” Binotto said at the launch of Ferrari's new SF90 challenger."

“He is the guide with which we aim for the championship."

“But there's no prejudice - the absolute priority is for Ferrari to win.”