F1 News

Leclerc accepts Ferrari explanation

Leclerc accepts Ferrari explanation

14-04-2019 16:13
2

Following yet another difficult set of circumstances for Charles Leclerc, the Ferrari driver has accepted his team’s decision to allow Sebastian Vettel to pass him on lap 11 of the Chinese Grand Prix.

The Monegasque was in third at the time before being ordered to allow Vettel to move ahead of him but it appeared to backfire after Max Verstappen beat him to fourth place following a better pit stop strategy. Leclerc finished fifth, the second time he has finished P5 following team orders.

Mattia Binotto had earlier explained the decision was down to trying to catch the Mercedes and Leclerc accepted the decision following a meeting with his team.

“We had the meeting,” Leclerc told Sky.

“It was not an easy situation.

“I was obviously struggling with the tyres, we both were, and at the time it just felt like Seb was quicker.

“But obviously being behind me for some laps he also damaged his tyres and when he went in front his tyres were probably also damaged.

“Being In the car it was a bit frustrating but, on the other hand, I'm well aware that being in the car you don't see much of the full picture of the race.

“So I just accepted it, did it and just focused on my race.”