SEBASTIAN VETTEL is fighting for his Ferrari future after his crazy crash into Charles Leclerc.
Both drivers have been hauled in front of their bosses at the Italian team’s Maranello HQ to explain their actions just five laps from the end of the Brazilian GP.
Vettel is stuck in fifth in the F1 standings after Sunday’s crashCredit: AFP or licensors
While Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto is staying tight-lipped about his feelings on the smash that punted both cars out of the race, there is a growing feeling that Vettel’s days with the Italian team are numbered.
The German was savaged by the Italian press for his part in the smash while there are now calls from the team’s Tifosi to axe the four-time world champion.
Vettel, who is paid around £30million a season by Ferrari, still has one year remaining on his contract.
However, paddock sources say that he has grown disillusioned with life at Ferrari following the arrival of Leclerc.
There has been a notable swing in favour of the 22-year-old, who is in his first season with Ferrari, especially after he won the Italian GP.
Leclerc was hailed by Ferrari’s Chairman John Elkann after the victory – the team’s first at home since 2010 – while Vettel had a shocker in Monza and finished 13th.
Binotto says he will reserve judgement until he has fully debriefed the crazy scenes in Sao Paulo, however, he said it was LUCKY it happened now the season was over so he can now draw up a rulebook.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff did the same when Lewis Hamilton crashed into Nico Rosberg and now Ferrari could produce their own “rules of engagement” document to help keep the peace.
Binotto said: “I would say it is even lucky it happened this season because there will be opportunities to clarify in view of next year what is not to happen.
“So I’m happy to take this opportunity of what happened, to clarify for the future.
“We need to clarify in the team what is silly and what is not – what the limits of the actions are.”
Ferrari historically have a clear No.1 and No.2 driver – Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello or Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa – and Binotto is adamant that it is a “luxury” to have Vettel, 32, partnered by Leclerc.
He added: “I’m still convinced it is a luxury because they are both good drivers. Very good drivers.
“They both represent a good benchmark for each other and we have seen how well they have improved, and Seb in the second half was certainly very fast. So I think overall it is still a luxury.”
Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen attempt tricky driving challenge
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
