Leclerc will comply with team orders 'depending on the situation'

40

Charles Leclerc will comply with Ferrari team orders in the future, but insists he will do so only "in some situations".

The Monegasque was asked to remain behind team mate Sebastian Vettel in Melbourne and Bahrain, although he eventually overhauled the German at Sakhir.

In China, in the opening stages of the race, the Ferrari pitwall ordered Leclerc to yield to Vettel in a bid to allow his team mate to catch the front-running Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, a decision that clearly frustrated Leclerc in the heat of the moment.

Ferrari wrong to use team orders to favour Vettel - Berger

Asked in Baku whether he would continue to obey his team's orders, the 21-year-old offered a conditional response.

"Obviously there will always be team orders in Formula 1," he said. "It depends on the situation. In some situations I will."

In China, Leclerc said he would seek clarification from team boss Mattia Binotto on the Scuderia's decision to favour Vettel.

"I did ask him, then obviously I think the answer is still the same," he said.

"He is taking a decision on the pit wall. At the end they have a lot more data on the pit wall than I do in the car. We’ll see in the future.

"It’s frustrating when you are in the car when you are told to let past another driver. Obviously it is frustrating for anyone that has been driving a car that is given this instruction.

"On the other hand, I understand them in a way. Obviously Seb is now in his fifth year with the team, has won four world championships and I’m only coming in my second season in Formula 1.

"So I’ve got a lot of things to prove and now it’s just up to me to do the best job possible in the car to prove the team what I’m capable of.

"I think I just need to continue doing what I’m doing, trying to improve myself and hopefully it will change soon."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.