F1 News
Ferrari "will design a car that is more in line with Vettel's driving style"
You would have thought Charles Leclerc did enough to impress his employers in his first season with the Italian team. The youngster came into Ferrari and showed his four-time world champion teammate how to drive and beat him on points, finishing the season on 264 points compared to the German's 240. However, Ferrari are going to continue to favor Sebastian Vettel in 2020.
Mattia Binotto has said that the Ferrari car has been designed and built around Vettel's driving style and many have been left to think that Leclerc has just been massively insulted by the team he works for.
When Lewis Hamilton came into Formula 1 and immediately challenged his world champion teammate Fernando Alonso, McLaren would have done anything for him. Ferrari are instead stuck in the past and for some reason are struggling to see that Leclerc is the future.
“We will design a car that is more in line with Sebastian's driving style. With more downward pressure on the back,” Binotto said to Motorsport.com.
The Ferrari boss went on to try and explain his decision.
“The lack of downforce resulted in more speed, but that did not work out as hoped. Seb had more trouble with the car than Charles, especially at the start of the season. After the summer break, it was better because we made adjustments to the car.
“Vettel is definitely a driver who is at the heart of our project. He is the most experienced and knows the team well. His feedback is very important and Leclerc has learned a lot from it."
Leclerc should feel insulted. He has done all he can to prove himself. He is faster than Vettel. When will Ferrari learn to back their young talent and take a risk that might pay off?
Vettel is clearly past his prime and Ferrari will continue to finish in second place until they focus on Leclerc.