Should Leclerc have Ferrari 'priority' over Vettel? Charles comments

Charles Leclerc could not be drawn on whether he has wiped out the "priority" given to Sebastian Vettel by Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto over the course of 2019.

Leclerc was given team orders in many of the opening races of the campaign to benefit Vettel, although he did not always follow them.

However, Leclerc's form has steadily improved as the season goes on an he is nine points ahead of the German with four races to go, having beaten his world champion team-mate on nine occasions in qualifying.

Team orders fell in Leclerc's favour in Russia, but Vettel did not play ball, until Ferrari took matters into their own hands.

Many onlookers have called on Ferrari to declare Leclerc the team leader, but the man himself says he is happy to do as his bosses wish.

"I'm definitely not the one who takes the decision for next year," he said.

"But one thing is for sure is that I think that I worked pretty well this season, I've improved quite a lot.

"I understood completely the situation, as I've mentioned at the beginning of the season. I think I've been quick in some races, I've shown what I was capable of, and now I leave it to Mattia and to the management side to decide.

"I think Mattia probably is the better person to ask as to whether it has changed or not.

"But on my side, I'm happy with my own performances. The main goal was to improve this season, I took this challenge as a huge opportunity to be next to Seb and to learn from him and I think I achieved most of my targets.

"I'm happy with the way I've grown this year, there's still a lot to learn for sure but I'm happy with this first season."

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