Binotto: Vettel-Leclerc battle 'good' for Ferrari
Mattia Binotto continues to support struggling Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel.
Already heavily criticised for mistakes last year, Vettel returned to old habits in Bahrain when he spun.
It was after a full weekend of being outpaced by his young and new teammate Charles Leclerc.
"Charles was faster everywhere," Vettel admitted.
The German says he is struggling to feel confident with the rear of the 2019 car.
"We took a real step forward in Bahrain compared to Melbourne," he added, "but it was not like Barcelona, when I could do what I wanted."
Vettel stuck around in Bahrain after the race for the post-grand prix test, where he said simulations of "different phases of the race" were done.
"The information we collected should be useful for China," he said.
Regarding the Bahrain spin, team boss Binotto backed Vettel but admitted that managing the fight between the quadruple world champion and Leclerc will be challenging.
"Of course as team boss now I have to manage the drivers, and that was not the case before," he told Speed Week.
"But I think it's even a good thing, because it's important to have the right fighting spirit in the team, and that includes the drivers," Binotto said.
But at present, it is the criticised Vettel who is in greater need of support than Leclerc.
"For the driver, it is important to feel the confidence of the team," Binotto acknowledged. "We give everything to make him feel good.
"But more important than that, in my opinion, is a strong car. After all, everything works better with a good and fast car.
"It also has to be a car that suits him," he added.
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Vettel is a wide claw driver and needs to believe in himself. He will take the fight to Lewis in China!
I meant to say Vettel is a world class driver
They're all big boys and they didn't get into the top end of the top twenty by harbouring regrets and shedding tears. Bring it on biatchio's, il piu duro sopravvive.
I dont think Vettal is still as good as he used to be
He's still a quality driver.....that doesn't change overnight but he needs to get Lewis out of his head and bounce back before Charles gets in there too.
Vettel should be more concerned about his team mate Charles than Lewis . Seb and Lewis have respect for each other and I think Leclerc will not be showing any of it towards the other two. so both will be up against him. Things will certainly start to unfold in China and Seb's car must be perfect for him to attack and win this time and Ferrari need to use right strategy through the race to get him and keep him at the front . I trust he will keep cool head and ride his Prancing Horse like he knows how.So Seb China is waiting for you to be reborn !