Ferrari's Arrivabene scoffs at 'favouritism' claims

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Scuderia boss Maurizio Arrivabene laughed off suggestions that Ferrari's pit wall had deliberately favoured Sebastian Vettel over Kimi Raikkonen in Monaco.

Raikkonen launched his race from pole but later lost the lead as a result of a sub-optimal pit stop strategy which enabled Vettel to gain the upper hand.

While team orders are nothing new at Ferrari, Arrivabene denied there was a determined pecking order at the Scuderia.

Raikkonen rejects claims of Vettel bias at Ferrari

"I was reading after Monaco and hearing a lot of speculation about a No.1 and No.2," Arrivabene said.

"I always said that it is not that situation in the team."

"We are looking forward to the championship and we do all our best to win the constructors' championship.

"In order to do well in the constructors' championship, you need two drivers -- and this is very important for the house, this is very important for Ferrari.

"That trophy, if you are able to win, stays at home, but the driver trophy goes to the driver, of course.

"So I was very clear since the beginning of the season in our rules of engagement: the team is above everything until the numbers are going on one direction or in the other direction -- I'm talking about the drivers' championship -- but there are no team orders.

"This is very clear and the drivers accept it."

The Italian did admit however that at some point in the season, team orders could come into play.

"I think what happened in Monaco, let me say I was laughing a bit when I heard all these comments because it is not the reality.

"There is no problem in between the drivers and we are looking, as Ferrari, to the constructors'.

"The drivers' championship is there job and they are free to do it until the numbers are going clearly in one direction or the other - in that case we would apply our rules of engagement.

"But not now and not in Monaco."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.