Ferrari not ruling out team orders to Vettel and Leclerc in 2020

Mattia Binotto says that, even though Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc now have equal priority within the team, Ferrari could still implement team orders should they deem necessary during a race.

Leclerc, still as a rookie, had his maiden season with Ferrari in 2019, with the Scuderia admitting before the campaign that Vettel was viewed as the number one driver.

However, after his performances last season, in which he finished ahead of Vettel in the championship, that dynamic has now changed, with them now viewed as equals.

Team orders were given to both drivers at points in 2019, and things came to a head in Brazil when they collided to both suffer retirements.

Ferrari insist that true performance was displayed in BarcelonaRead more

Even though there is no prioritised driver anymore, orders could be used again.

“I think that he has already proved to be ready. I think he did a fantastic, a great season last year. He was on the same level as Sebastian at the end of last year as well, in terms of final results. I think he has proved that he can do it,” Binotto said of Leclerc to Motorsport.com

“So I think it's right that they are on the same level to start the 2020 season. I think they know as well that the team has the first priority. So team orders may still be there.

“I'm not saying that there will be no team orders. So they may be team orders to the benefit of the entire team in case. But it has to be a clear situation.”

In 2019, Leclerc finished fourth in the championship, with Vettel next in fifth.

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