Leclerc ‘has taken number 1 status’ at Ferrari

Charles Leclerc, the new Ferrari darling

(GMM) Sebastian Vettel has admitted that ignoring team orders at Sochi was "not right".

His teammate Charles Leclerc said separate meetings with Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto took place in the days after the Russian GP.

"Obviously it felt like it was a huge deal from the outside, which it definitely wasn't, but now everything is fine," he said.

Leclerc added that it is now "clear" that both drivers "need to obey orders".

Vettel was reluctant to talk about the topic at Suzuka, but he did admit: "It was not right that I ignored the radio message.

"No matter what agreements there were or who was right or wrong, I got the message to swap the place and I didn't do it. That was certainly not right," said the German.

Both drivers insist they can continue to work together, but a hierarchical struggle for Ferrari's coveted 'number 1' spot is clearly taking place.

"Seb was number 1. Now, clearly not," said Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.

"From the energy, the way it looks, they're trying to ramp Charles up," the championship leader added.

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher agrees with that assessment.

"They are trying to explain to Sebastian, one way or another, that he has to make room for Charles Leclerc," he told Sky Germany.

"It's starting to get a bit political and I get the feeling that Leclerc already has Vettel exactly where he wants him.

"He has taken away the number 1 status," Schumacher added. "He no longer has to drive for Vettel, because they see him (Leclerc) as the future."