F1 News
Mattia Binotto explains the "deal" that was in place at Ferrari in Russia
- Tom Mason
Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto has explained the agreement which was in place with the team following the problem in Russian Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel failed to obey team orders after he failed to let his teammate Charles Leclerc through, something which the 21-year-old had done in favour of the German on the opening lap.
"Looking at the past races in Russia we know that it's important to be ahead at the first lap, because normally if you start first, you may finish first," Binotto said.
"As a team obviously the victory was key, so we decided that the most important thing for us was to be first and second at the first lap because by being first and second we would have somehow control and manage the pace and control the positions.
"Which is what was happening, because being first and second, as a matter of fact, we were controlling the race, and without any reliability issues certainly we would have kept positions after the pitstops.
Leclerc, prior to the race had agreed to not defend his lead from Vettel in the run down to turn 2.
"Being first and second was the first objective. How can you do that when you start first and third? Certainly protecting the first position as well as making sure you gain a position and being second.
"We agreed together that the best way was not to give any slipstream to Hamilton first, because giving a slipstream to Hamilton would have given him some advantage or at least some possibility, and therefore Charles would have given the slipstream to Seb.