SM
Arsenal vs. Newcastle: 2 hrs 32 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Ferrari 'priority' is Vettel, not Leclerc - boss

:Headline: Ferrari 'priority' is Vettel, not Leclerc - boss: ID:350683: from db_amp
Mattia Binotto has suggested 2019 will be a close three-way battle for victory.

Mattia Binotto has suggested 2019 will be a close three-way battle for victory.

The Italian, who remains the technical director, is also Ferrari's new team boss, having taken over from the ousted Maurizio Arrivabene.

"True, they are completely different roles," Binotto said. "But I'm fortunate to count on a strong team. Everybody knows exactly what he has to do."

Ferrari has launched its 2019 car with lightweight matte paint. Binotto says it is an "evolution" of the 2018 machine with some "extreme" details.

"We have carefully examined what has been done by Mercedes and Red Bull," he told Italy's Autosprint.

"We have studied the details and I congratulate them because there are some original and interesting innovations."

Robert Shwartzman, a Russian driver and member of Ferrari's development 'academy', told the Championat publication that he has driven the car in the simulator.

"Compared to the previous car, the changes are quite small and in speed it is almost as good as the previous one," he said.

Sebastian Vettel gave the car its real 'filming' track debut at Barcelona on Sunday.

Although highly rated youngster Charles Leclerc has joined Ferrari, team boss Binotto says quadruple world champion Vettel remains the number 1.

"If certain situations occur in the first part of the season, our priority is Sebastian," he said.

"He should lead us to the title. This is completely normal and not a disadvantage for Charles," Binotto insisted.

However, he admitted that Leclerc is likely to be competitive in 2019, as he is "gifted".

"Sebastian has nothing to prove, and Charles still has a lot to learn. But honestly, I would like the problem of having to deal with two drivers in top positions," said Binotto.

If Leclerc gets the upper hand, though, Vettel's place as team leader would be in doubt.

The German driver said: "I think everybody knows that my contract runs until 2020, so I do not expect anything else other than that. I am very happy here."

amp_article__350683 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-02-18 20:23:02:
html db last update - 2019-02-18 20:23:02 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Mattia Binotto

Click here for more stories about Mercedes

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .