Ferrari not concerned by 'inevitable' friction between Vettel and Leclerc
Ferrari not concerned by 'inevitable' friction between Vettel and Leclerc
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto reckons any friction between Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc is inevitable, but actually sees it as an advantage as he has two drivers hungry to succeed.
Leclerc enjoyed his maiden F1 campaign with the Scuderia in 2019, and quickly impressed to become just as important to the team as Vettel, whom the team actually admitted was their number one driver ahead of the campaign.
Team orders, disputes between the pair, and an eventual crash at the Brazilian Grand Prix led the pair to be reprimanded by management.
However, Binotto thinks that, now that the 2019 issues are over, the pair can co-exist for the team, but admits friction is still likely.
"You have to accept them because that is obvious. They are top drivers and they are there to do their best and to win,” he told Motorsport.com when asked if friction is inevitable.
McLaren can't finish higher than fourth - SeidlRead more
"So what's important for me is that they understand what is the overall objective and understand more about the overall situation [in the race].
"Arguing on the radio is never the best because when you are in the car you do not have the full picture, so then it is a matter of trust: trusting the team, even if you make mistakes, as the drivers may make them.
"I think it is only about clarity and transparency before the race, clarity and transparency also during the season, and then we should face whatever is the situation in the race together before we eventually discuss it."
He is of the opinion that having two drivers eager to better each other will ultimately benefit the team as a whole.
"If I look at the two drivers at the moment and how they are behaving together, it works very well," the team boss said.
"There is a good spirit, a good benchmark and in qualifying, when Charles is disappointed that he is behind Seb, it is good and positive.
"But between the two, after all the polemics that we may have read in the newspaper about the radio communication, that is one point that is not a concern at all. In fact it is opposite.
"It is a good line-up, as well quite different in terms of experience, driving. For us, that is an advantage."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Newey's wife 'scoping out properties' in MAJOR hint over next move
- 36 minutes ago
Marko reveals how Verstappen has HELPED Perez at Red Bull
- 1 hour ago
Ferrari bound Bearman set to make key F1 move
- 2 hours ago
F1 News Today: Verstappen delivers MAJOR Newey warning as Hamilton hints at Ferrari swoop
- 3 hours ago
F1 decision announced regarding points system change
- 3 hours ago
Verstappen sent Horner CLEAR message before Newey bombshell
- Today 10:57
Related news
Ferrari show off new-look drivers following HUGE announcement
Sky Sports F1 pundit dumbfounded by key Ferrari decision
F1 giants announce name change with IMMEDIATE effect
Ferrari announce HUGE F1 change to iconic red livery
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860