Binotto defends Vettel after Bahrain spin

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has defended his driver Sebastian Vettel after the four-time world champion made another high profile mistake during the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Going wheel-to-wheel with Lewis Hamilton for second place during the final stint of the race, Vettel spun his Ferrari after losing out to the Mercedes driver, flat-spotting his tyres which led to his front wing being shaken to pieces on the return to the pits.

The Ferrari driver limped home a disappointing fifth while until his SF90 let him down, teammate Charles Leclerc looked destined to take a resounding win in the same equipment.

Speaking after the race, Binotto said that Vettel's error was not a big deal and the team would recover and be ready for the Chinese Grand Prix.

“It was a mistake and I don’t think we should discuss about mistakes. We are always in the battle and in the fight, that is what we are doing and it is never easy," he is quoted by Motorsport Week.

“I think at the end it is something that can always happen. I think we need to encourage our drivers because it is only by driving to the limit that they achieve the best result and that is what Seb was trying to do.

“There is some homework on the balance to improve, we are still learning about our car. So I think all good in that respect and we will keep focus on that and hope to improve.”