Kimi Raikkonen has stressed that it is too early in the season for Ferrari to contemplate using team orders in Formula 1.
Sebastian Vettel has been perceived as Ferrari’s lead driver since he joined the team in 2015, alongside Raikkonen, and has taken all 11 of the squad’s wins in that period.
Raikkonen held track position over Vettel during the closing stages in Austria, running second and third behind eventual race winner Max Verstappen, and the duo crossed the line in that order.
Raikkonen responded when an emphatic ‘no’ when asked if he was surprised at retaining second, and expanded, commenting: “We’ve always said that we have very clear rules and that’s what we go by since I’ve been in this team.
“We know what will happen and when, and if it comes to that then it’s very normal for us.
“It’s only from all you have that you make a big story out of this.
“At a certain point it’s always going to happen and that’s more than fair, but right now it’s not the time yet.”
The result in Austria ensured Vettel reclaimed the lead in the standings, albeit just a point clear of Lewis Hamilton, who failed to score in the wake of a fuel pump problem.
When asked whether Vettel could live to regret the potential three points missed by not swapping positions, he replied: “No, I think it’s part of racing.”
Raikkonen holds third position in the Drivers’ Championship, 45 points behind team-mate and title leader Vettel.
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