Leclerc not number one at Ferrari - Binotto
Leclerc not number one at Ferrari - Binotto
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has dismissed any suggestion of Charles Leclerc becoming the designated number one driver this year following Carlo Sainz's arrival.
Although Leclerc is fully integrated into the workings of Ferrari ahead of his third year with the Scuderia, Sainz carries the greater experience after five seasons in F1.
Ferrari's tally of 131 points last season was largely down to the Monégasque who scored 98, yet Binotto has ruled out preferential treatment for Leclerc over the new recruit.
"There is nothing written in the contract of Charles about him being the leader," said Binotto.
"I think that the two will be free to fight on track. It is important they are not damaging themselves. I think they will have equal opportunities, certainly at the start of the season.
"I think that our top priority, as I have said in the past, will be to optimise the team points.
"So it may be that in some races it will be important that the two are somehow helping team decisions and accepting team decisions in order to optimise the team's interest, but by doing that we are helping the driver's interest as well."
After finishing sixth in the constructors' standings last season, its worst finish for 40 years, Ferrari is introducing a new power unit for this year in the hope it can fight at the sharp end again.
While there is optimism on this front, Binotto has explained the two drivers could be issued team orders if a gap develops between them in the championship and there are advantages for such an instruction.
"Later in the season, if there is a clear advantage of one driver to the other and one driver may achieve an objective which is not possible for the other, again, here, I think it will be an open discussion between the two," he added.
"So let's see how they can eventually help each other but still benefit the team. Optimising the team points is the first priority."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Current F1 star qualifies for world championship race on two wheels
- 1 hour ago
Ricciardo given HUGE boost after upgrade claim
- 2 hours ago
‘Absolute b******s’ - Newey’s wife SLAMS Red Bull F1 claims
- 3 hours ago
Norris INJURED at party with legendary DJ
- Today 19:57
Newey tipped to POACH key Red Bull staff if he joins F1 rivals
- Today 18:57
F1 paddock favourite admits immense DOUBTS over Verstappen Red Bull future
- Today 17:57
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