Formula 1 chief Ross Brawn says Ferrari’s driver dynamic has the potential to be “explosive” and needs “careful handling” going forward, in the wake of the strategy it enacted in Russia.
Four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel was joined for 2019 by Ferrari protégé Charles Leclerc, who stepped up after just one season of racing in Formula 1, with Sauber.
Several flashpoints have occurred throughout the campaign, with Leclerc growing in stature, out-qualifying Vettel at the last nine events.
In Russia on Sunday a pre-race plan was undertaken that meant pole sitter Leclerc gave Vettel a slipstream into Turn 2 on the provision that he would re-gain the lead shortly after.
Vettel remained in front – citing the lead he had built up and the proximity of Lewis Hamilton – before Leclerc cycled back ahead through the pit phase, though Ferrari denied that this was its intention.
Vettel ultimately retired due to a hybrid issue but Brawn believes the latest development means team boss Mattia Binotto has to carefully manage the situation.
“Vettel’s pit stop (after which he emerged behind Leclerc) followed by his retirement meant there was little point in any recrimination, but it’s a fact that Mattia will have work to do in the next few days to pour oil on what seem like turbulent waters,” said Brawn in his usual post-race media debrief.
“Ferrari has clearly made a lot of progress in recent weeks but it still probably has to deal with a few internal issues in terms of the balance between its drivers.
“On the one hand they have a four-time world champion who is still one of the finest drivers on the grid, despite a few too many mistakes over the past two seasons.
“And on the other, they have an incredible talent in Charles Leclerc – after all you don’t take six poles (including four in a row), and win two races at legendary circuits such as Spa and Monza if you’re not a star in the making.
“It’s a potentially explosive combination and needs careful handling.
“Of course, Mattia is well aware of how this kind of dynamic can work as he has experienced it before when he was a young engineer.
“But now the honour and obligation falls to him to make sure that mechanism that drives what can be healthy rivalry runs smoothly.”
