Leclerc defied Ferrari orders with Vettel overtake

Charles Leclerc ignored Ferrari's orders to remain behind Sebastian Vettel, given just before the Monegasque overtook his team-mate to regain the lead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Pole-sitter Leclerc was out-launched by Vettel, but regained the lead on lap six of the race.

Having initially dropped back to third, Leclerc quickly got back on the pace, moving up to second past Valtteri Bottas before hunting down Vettel.

When he pulled up to the back of his team-mate, he told Ferrari that he was quicker, only to be told to hold position for two laps.

However, when the pair got to Turn 1 on the next lap, Leclerc made his move.

Radioberichten in de ronde voordat Leclerc langs teamgenoot Vettel ging in de race.
Leclerc: ‘Ik ben sneller’
Team: ‘Blijf er nog twee ronden achter’
Leclerc haalt Vettel dezelfde ronde nog in... ? #F1 pic.twitter.com/xfewVG7NKg

— Rob van Gameren (@VanGamerenF1) April 1, 2019

He said of the decision: "I was just letting them know.

"Then I think I had an answer, saying to me 'OK, stay like this for two laps' but then on the next straight I had the opportunity to go for it, so I went for it and it was a successful pass and then I was just quicker, so then I did my race."

He added: "It's always a tricky situation when you get to fight your team-mate because the risks are very high and, as in every team, I think, they warn you before the race: OK, you can try things on different people, but with your team-mate, please be careful – which is something normal.

"But yeah, I had the opportunity on and I didn't hesitate, I just sent for it. I was happy it was successful the first time I tried, especially after the bad start."

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