F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Angry Ferrari president reminds drivers who they work for

Ferrari president John Elkann reminded both Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc that when it comes to their priorities, the Scuderia comes before their personal ambitions.

As he prepared for an Exor investors' day in Turin on Thursday, a visibly annoyed Elkann addressed the incident that marred Ferrari's Brazilian Grand Prix.

The clash between the two drivers which took place in the closing stages of the event cost Ferrari the embarrassment of a double retirement.

"I was very angry," Elkann told the media. "What happened on Sunday not only upset me a lot, but it also made me understand how important Ferrari is.

"It is not necessary for the drivers, however good they may be, to forget that they are racing for Ferrari

"And the most important thing is that Ferrari wins and that has not been done. Mattia Binotto was very clear on this point."

Despite his disappointment, Elkann nevertheless commended Ferrari for its 2019 campaign,

"It has been an extraordinary season for Ferrari in terms of pole positions, but unfortunately not all of them have been converted into race wins."

In the aftermath of last Sunday's disaster, Scuderia boss Mattia Binotto ordered a sit-down with Leclerc and Vettel this week in Maranello to review the intra-team clash and eventually assign blame.

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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.

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