Charles Leclerc says he understands why Ferrari ordered him not to challenge team-mate Sebastian Vettel in the closing stages of the Australian Grand Prix.
Although Ferrari expressed prior to the season that Leclerc would be free to fight Vettel, the Monegasque driver was told to hold position as he found himself on the German's tail with several laps of the season-opener left.
"Should I stay behind Sebastian? Yes or no?" Leclerc said over team radio, having closed down a five-second gap to just a few tenths, with Vettel seemingly struggling for pace.
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"Yes. Back off to have some margin," came the response from Ferrari's pit wall.
Leclerc says he "understands" the decision taken by the team, given neither were in a position to fight for the win in Melbourne in what was a less than impressive display.
"I had the pace to get past Sebastian, but the team decided to freeze the positions via team radio. In the end there was nothing to win. I understand," he said.
The 21-year-old almost got past his team-mate at the start of the race, but had to back off having run slightly wide at the exit of Turn 1.
"I got off to a great start and found myself in a good shape to fight," he explained. "I tried to overtake Max [Verstappen] on the outside but Seb was blocked by the two Mercedes.
"I also went outside Vettel, and I don’t know if he saw me, but I had to go on the grass because I didn’t have any space left and I lost a position to Max.
"In general the car was quite difficult to drive. However the second stint was more positive."
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