Sebastian Vettel, Charles Leclerc crash won't help relationship - Ferrari

Brazilian GP

Vettel, Leclerc crash won't help relationship - Ferrari

A double DNF in Brazil.

Matthew Scott

Monday 18 November 2019 13:00

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto says he has no fears over the relationship between Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc after the pair collided at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

At a safety car restart prompted by Valtteri Bottas' retirement, Leclerc had the run on Vettel with fresher tyres, but the German fought back on the back straight, with the aid of DRS.

As the German looked to shut the door on his teammate, their wheels touched, causing a dramatic failure on Leclerc's front right and leaving Vettel with a puncture.

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The Scuderia pair's first season in tandem has not always been rosy. Leclerc defied Ferrari's team orders as early as the second race of the season when Vettel had been given "priority" by Binotto, while both have reneged on playing their part in the team's plans in different races.

Leclerc opted not to give Vettel a tow in the chaotic Italian GP qualifying, preserving his pole position, while Vettel refused to give Leclerc the lead of the Russian GP, having been towed into it by the Monegasque.

Although flashpoints between them are becoming increasingly common, Binotto sees no reason for concern.

"I think that what I may read or hear is quite different compared to what I may see internally," he said.

"It's true that in Monza it was not an easy situation to manage. They had to clarify, they spoke together, face to face, openly. The same happened after Russia.

"Currently they've got a good relationship and they're going well together. What happened [in Brazil] may not help but I don't think there is a drama at all.

"I see that more as an opportunity in the view of next year to clarify if needed."