Scuderia Ferrari Bracing Themselves for a Driver Civil War

Scuderia Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has confessed that he may have to brace for controversies. With Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc at odds with each other, it blows open the door for a bitter rivalry.

The animosity between Ferrari’s two drivers has become worse, especially in the second half of the season. Leclerc was fuming in Singapore after Vettel performed the undercut to take the lead and stole his victory.

Meanwhile, at the Russian GP Leclerc gave his teammate the tow at the start, to clear Lewis Hamilton. This would lead to a Scuderia Ferrari one-two, and Vettel was supposed to hand the lead back. Naturally, one would expect what happened next, Vettel ignored the order and Leclerc was seeing red.

Now, the atmosphere at the Ferrari camp is reminiscent of a dormant volcano, waiting to blow. Binotto confirmed that he spoke to both drivers at Ferrari’s HQ in Maranello to clear the air. However, he knows that this will not be the last time the two clash, the only question is, how bad will the fallout be?.

“There was a further chat,” the Italian told Sky Sport Italy. “They were both in Maranello for the simulator and so we talked about it, it’s not easy to manage two drivers so strong but it’s a duty for us. We’re getting to know each other better and a deepening process.

“Will it not happen again? I don’t believe it.There will be such situations, especially between two drivers so strong and competitive, but it will be important that there is transparency between us and the drivers.”

These tensions have taken place for two races in a row, and there is a danger of the Rule of Three being followed. Will it happen again, and will Mercedes and Red Bull capitalise on the internal discord?