Breaking news
Formula 1
Vettel irked by "poor journalism" over Ferrari team orders
Sebastian Vettel believes his Ferrari Formula 1 team has been a victim of “poor journalism” and is unhappy with how comments about team orders have been used by the media.
Scott Mitchell
Edited: Apr 17, 2019, 8:31 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Under new team principal Mattia Binotto, Ferrari has attempted to set a clear policy on team orders after suffering from indecision in recent seasons.
Binotto has identified Vettel as the priority in “50/50” situations because the four-time world champion is considered a better title bet compared to his young, new teammate Charles Leclerc.
Asked in China if team orders was the best way to win the title, Vettel said: “I don’t know, ask maybe Lewis [Hamilton]. Mercedes has been in a very different situation.
“It’s not the first time we’ve seen something like that. As Mattia said we tried to do everything as a team.
“Two weeks ago [in Bahrain], Charles was faster. And it was quite straightforward and maybe a bit easier to pass.
“I think the upsetting thing after the race [Chinese GP] is we didn’t manage to finish third and fourth.
“I want to be ahead of Charles, he wants to be ahead of me. Not keen to expand much further because it’s always a bit difficult, especially what you make out of the answer.”
Ferrari and its drivers have faced repeated questioning through the first three races about its use of team orders, despite its position remaining largely consistent.
Asked if there was a specific story in mind, Vettel said: “Not really, it’s just poor journalism, from my point of view.
“But I’m not a journalist to judge. So you shouldn’t take my judgement personally.”
In China, Leclerc was asked to move aside after starting to struggle with his tyres and Ferrari wanted to see if Vettel could keep pace with the Mercedes.
When asked if he had requested the order, or if it was fair, Vettel said: “I knew the moment it was happening that I would have to face these questions.
“Not sure I want to answer because I’m a little bit against the way you – all of you – work, because you take bits out of answers here and there and put it into the wrong light.
“So, if you ask me again in half an hour down in the paddock, maybe I give you a straightforward answer and you don’t write it down or record.
Read also:
- Ferrari: Team order not intended to benefit Vettel
- Ferrari team orders risk opening "can of worms" - Wolff
- Leclerc deserved more time before team order - Rosberg
“Seems the way that, not maybe all of you, but some of you are working.
“I felt I was faster in the car, I was asked if I can go faster. I answered that I felt I can.”
Vettel said the conversation about a number one or number two driver was not “frustrating, it’s just a pain to answer the same questions over and over”.
He added: “The priority always lies within the team. This kind of stuff is never pleasant but it’s a bit ‘what goes around, comes around’.
“At the time you always try to do what is right. I can see it is not easy for anyone involved.”
Additional reporting by Roberto Chinchero
Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF90, leads Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF90
Photo by: Joe Portlock / LAT Images
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Russell: Chinese GP rivals passed me "like I'm stood still"
Next article Tost urged Albon to be "very aggressive" in Chinese GP
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Scott Mitchell
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Formula 1
Formula 1
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Formula 1
Formula 1
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
Formula 1
Formula 1
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
More from
Sebastian Vettel
Sebastian Vettel gives update on F1 future as he opens up on life after retirement
Formula 1
Formula 1
Azerbaijan GP
Sebastian Vettel gives update on F1 future as he opens up on life after retirement
Sebastian Vettel: F1 must combine “things we love” with sustainable future
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sebastian Vettel: F1 must combine “things we love” with sustainable future
More from
Ferrari
F1 United States GP: Charles Leclerc completes perfect Friday by topping FP2
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
4 h
F1 United States GP: Charles Leclerc completes perfect Friday by topping FP2
Exploring Ferrari's 'less than a tenth' US GP update package
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
6 h
Exploring Ferrari's 'less than a tenth' US GP update package
Latest news
Truck Series championship down to two with two to go
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck 1 min
Truck Series championship down to two with two to go
MotoGP Australian GP: Marc Marquez recovers from crash to take pole at wet Phillip Island
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
1 h
MotoGP Australian GP: Marc Marquez recovers from crash to take pole at wet Phillip Island
No factory Honda bikes in Australian GP as Luca Marini withdraws due to virus
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
2 h
No factory Honda bikes in Australian GP as Luca Marini withdraws due to virus
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe