Mattia Binotto, Ferrari Formula 1 team boss, defends his decision to prioritize Sebastian Vettel at Singapore Grand Prix.
Binotto believes that letting Vettel win the Singapore GP brought the stability as it establishes more trust within team and brought the driver’s confidence.
Charles Leclerc from Ferrari was leading the race while being chased by Mercedes’ driver Lewis Hamilton. Ferrari decided to box Vettel first who was running third in Singapore in order to undercut Mercedes.
The strategy helped Ferrari to stay on-top because poleman Leclerc was caught in traffic.
The Monegasque driver was held back by Red Bull driver Max Verstappen while Ferrari chose not to enact team order for four time world champion to let his team mate gain his original position.
Binotto accepted that Vettel was guilty for making multiple mistakes and he lacked performance. But he asked for commendation for the driver due to his comeback in second half of the season, which eventually lead to his first victory of the season.
Binotto asserted that Vettel is a “key driver” and “central to our project”.
“He has been uncomfortable with the car at the start of the season, certainly with the braking instability,” said Ferrari team principal.
“I think the challenge [of Leclerc] for him has been a good benchmark as well because having such a fast team-mate gave him some headaches.
“In order to improve himself, he’s always very analytic. He approaches the exercise, he’s not emotional in that respect, he is looking at the data, to compare sectors, looking where he’s eventually slower or faster.
“In the first part of the season, he has been put under a lot of pressure. I think he reacted very well in the second half.
“The victory in the Singapore has been key for him, not only for the victory itself but the trust in the team.
“He knew that he could count on the team for help, if necessary.
“But I think it was right, it was right choice and time to let him win.”
Binotto defended Vettel for his over-all performance in 2019 season.
He added that Vettel had matching performance to Leclerc’s qualifying sessions, when he had a lot of overall confidence on his car.
He said: “Well done to him for the second part of the season – well done for the way he reacted after a not easy first half of the season.”
