Arrivabene "laughing" at Vettel favouritism claims
Ferrari F1 team principal Maurizio Arrivabene says he was “laughing a bit” at suggestions the outfit is favouring Sebastian Vettel over Kimi Raikkonen.
Vettel and Raikkonen were the two drivers in contention for victory in F1's most recent grand prix in Monaco - and while Raikkonen had taken pole and led the race until the pitstops, Vettel emerged ahead after stopping later and went on to win the event.
Before Monaco, F1 drivers' standings leader Vettel had accrued a points haul more than twice than that of Raikkonen, and the victory in the Principality allowed the German to establish a sizable gap over his nearest championship rival, Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.
However, Arrivabene insisted Vettel is not the number one driver in the Ferrari line-up, claiming that the teams' chief priorities lie in the constructors' standings.
"I was reading after Monaco and hearing all the speculation about number one and number two, I always said that the situation is that we are looking forward in the championship to do all our best for the constructors' championship," Arrivabene said in Canada.
"If you do well in the constructors' championship, you need two drivers and this is better at the moment for Ferrari. It is the only trophy that if you win, it stays at home. The drivers' trophy goes to the drivers, of course."
Hamilton, who dropped from six to 25 points behind Vettel after a difficult weekend in Monaco, argued after that race that Ferrari was "clearly" favouring one of its drivers over the other – although Vettel and Raikkonen themselves dismissed such suggestions.
Arrivabene said both Ferrari drivers were well aware of the team's current policy.
"I was very clear since the beginning of the season. Until the numbers are going in one direction or the other direction in the championship, there will be no team orders.
"I am very, very clear. The drivers know all about this, they accept it. I think, what has happened in Monaco – I was a bit laughing when I heard the stories. It is not the reality.
"We are looking for the constructors' championship, but in the drivers' championship they are free to do it until the numbers are clear in one direction or the other."
Additional reporting by Jonathan Noble
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