Binotto reveals Leclerc and Vettel’s response to Brazil clash

Ferrari Formula 1 chief Mattia Binotto believes the joint response from Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc following their Interlagos clash acts as proof of the “united spirit” at the team.

Vettel and Leclerc collided in the closing stages of the Brazilian Grand Prix while fighting for fourth place, causing both cars to retire from the race and leave Ferrari with no points for the weekend.

The crash was the most notable incident between Vettel and Leclerc in their first season as teammates, but tensions over team orders had emerged on numerous occasions earlier in the year.

Team principal Binotto was adamant in the aftermath of the clash that the relationship between his drivers remained friendly, and that he had no plans to introduce rules of engagement to prevent future run-ins.

While speaking to Ferrari’s official magazine about the growth of the team’s unity and spirit through the year, Binotto revealed that Leclerc and Vettel had called him together shortly after the race after holding their own private clear-the-air talks.

“I am really happy with how the team spirit has grown. We are very united, compact, including the drivers, despite what some people insinuate,” Binotto said.

“An example? On the Tuesday following the incident they were involved in at the Brazil Grand Prix, my phone rang and on the display I saw the names of Seb and Charles, together.

“They'd been in touch with each other, they'd cleared things up, and they called me together for a three-way call. It wasn't just a gesture, and it really showed an impressive united spirit.

“And anyway, regarding Brazil, it's better that such an episode happens now, it will help us to understand each other better for next year.”