Charles Leclerc on team orders: "In some situations I will follow them up"

F1 News

25 April 2019 at 17:17

Charles Leclerc fell victim to some more Ferrari team orders during the last Formula 1 race in China. Speaking in Baku, the man from Monaco claims he will only follow team orders in certain situations.

Early on in the 1000th Grand Prix, the Ferrari pit wall told Leclerc to let Sebastian Vettel through. The German failed to take advantage. The whole situation created a major talking point between the two Grands Prix.

Going into his fourth race as a Ferrari driver, Leclerc has been quizzed on the team order situation.

“Of course there will always be team orders in Formula 1. It depends on the situation whether I accept them. In some situations I will follow them up," Leclerc said in Baku.

"It is frustrating when you are in the car and you are told that you have to leave another car," says the Monegasque. "Everyone who has been in a racing car finds it frustrating to receive such an instruction."

Leclerc, 21, has been levelled headed during his opening chapter at Ferrari. He understands that his boss, Mattia Binotto, has tough decisions to make between his newcomer and four-time world champion.

"He has to make decisions from the pit wall. At the end of the ride, they are faced with a lot more drama than I do in the car," Leclerc added.