Ferrari puts Vettel and Leclerc 'on the same level' for 2020

Ferrari will place Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc on equal footing at the outset of the 2020 season, a change from last years' rules of engagement.

At the start of 2019, the Scuderia had given preference to Vettel versus his teammate in the event of a 50/50 situation as decided by team boss Mattia Binotto.

But as a two-time Grand Prix winner who earned his striped last year and finished ahead of Vettel in the world championship, Leclerc's position has compelled Ferrari to alter its driver policy for the upcoming campaign.

"It’s developed," said Binotto at Tuesday's launch in Italy of Ferrari's SF1000. "Charles has got a year’s experience with us.

"They will be on the same level, they can both fight to be ahead. So, let them race."

• Ferrari names Vettel over Hamilton as 'first choice' for 2021

Giving a free rein to its drivers led to a massive flash point last year in Brazil between Vettel and Leclerc, with the duo eliminating itself on the track after a contact.

But the Monegasque contends that lessons were learned by both men as a result of the costly clash, and each driver will give a little bit more latitude to the other when battling wheel-to-wheel this year.

"We are free to race but we are also team mates," Leclerc said. "A lot of people [work] on the car, we are a team, and things in Brazil shouldn’t happen.

"I’ve learned from it. The margins will probably be a bit bigger."

As far as Vettel is concerned, Ferrari's neutral policy will be no different than what he experienced in 2019.

"[It was] not like I had a different car [in 2019]," he said. "We both have the same car, and the same chance to race well. I never doubted that, I don’t think Charles did either.

"It doesn’t change anything. Starting on equal terms, we were last year, we are this year as well."

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