Ferrari’s drivers will begin the 2020 Formula 1 season on equal terms, team boss Mattia Binotto has clarified.
Charles Leclerc joined Sebastian Vettel in 2019 and the four-time World Champion was initially given priority during a season in which instructions were given at various grands prix.
Leclerc went on to finish one position ahead in the championship, claimed two victories to one, and scored more pole positions than Vettel.
“It is right that they are on the same level to start in 2020,” said Binotto.
“I think they know as well the team has the first priority so team orders may still be there.
“I am not saying that they are free to race with no team orders, so there might be team orders for the benefit of the entire team. But it has to be a clear situation.”
There were a handful of flashpoints through 2019 between the two drivers, most notably at the penultimate round in Brazil, where a collision resulted in the retirement of both cars.
Binotto believes that Ferrari – along with Leclerc and Vettel – will be stronger for 2019’s experiences.
“I think last year has been very useful for both of them and myself, to know each other and to understand how we should behave and what should be the rules within the team and what is the priority – that the team comes first,” he said.
“I think that the two drivers now know each other better too and they are behaving well and I am very happy at the level of discussions we got and the level of contribution to the car and to the team in the way that we are discussing.
“I think, generally speaking, there is not much to tell them because they understand perfectly what should be the way to behave on track.”
