Montezemolo would have had 'a few words' with Leclerc

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Former Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo says that Charles Leclerc's complaints over the radio in last weekend's Russian Grand Prix would not have gone unchecked had he still been in charge of the Italian outfit.

Sochi poleman Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel agreed along with the Scuderia's management to play the team game at the start of last Sunday's race whereby Vettel would slipstream past his teammate to protect their position from Mercedes before the German would hand back the leading position to Leclerc.

While the first part of the tactic went according to plan, Vettel's defied team orders and was stubbornly reluctant to hand back the position to the Monegasque.

Leclerc complained multiple times over the radio, insisting he had held up his end of the bargain, but oddly, while it was Vettel who perhaps deserved a strong rebuke, di Montezemolo took aim at Leclerc!

Marko: Leclerc 'playing his part' in Ferrari tensions

"If Leclerc had complained like that to me, then he would have heard more than a few words in my office," he told Corriere dello Sport.

Montezemolo, who managed the Scuderia in the 70s under the reign of Niki Lauda and was president of Ferrari during the team's golden years with Michael Schumacher, remembered the drama generated by Jean Todt's team orders in Austria in 2002.

"I can remember a situation with Rubens Barrichello when he was upset about making room for Schumacher in Austria," said the Italian.

"I told him: You will do what we ask you to do and that’s it. But I can say to Leclerc is that he is one of the best of his generation."

The 72-year-old also said that the public's view of events was often distorted by the media's reporting of F1.

"Many people who write about Formula 1 know little about the sport," he added.

"Like when they ask me how Schumacher compares to Lauda. They are completely different generations."

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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.