Ferrari continue to "back Sebastian Vettel" despite Charles Leclerc's pace
F1 News
Mattia Binotto has confirmed that Ferrari would still favor Sebastian Vettel over Charles Leclerc if they were in a 50-50 situation. The German has not looked particularly competitive so far this season whereas Leclerc has really proven that he is fast. Ferrari state that the fact that Vettel has more championship points as the reason to back him.
“What I think we said at the very start of the season is that as first we are here to get maximum points for the team,” Mattia Binotto said to RaceFans.
Binotto confirmed that in a “50-50 situation” then “Sebastian was, in that case, the one that would have had priority,”
“Sebastian is still the one ahead in the championship between the two drivers at the moment so if there would be any 50-50, certainly we may still give the advantage to Sebastian.”
However, Binotto recognised the impressive performances that Charles Leclerc has been putting in.
“I think as the championship is going on Charles is certainly proving that he is a very fast driver,” said Binotto. “He can be on pole as he has been and [if] he has better opportunity to win races we never stop him winning races.”
The fact that Ferrari are still openly backing Vettel will come as a surprise to fans but at the moment Leclerc is doing a good enough job of staying ahead that there are no 50-50 situations.