Ferrari competitors Vettel and Leclerc: Through thick and thin

Ferrari had started with title hopes in this Formula 1 season. But before the last Grand Prix of the year, the title has long since been awarded to Mercedes Lewis Hamilton and the Italian team is rather the anger over the accident two weeks ago between team mate Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc in the center.

But this is now to be worked up, it is said before the final race on Sunday in Abu Dhabi (14.10 clock, live ticker SPIEGEL ONLINE, TV: RTL). "We discussed together, all three together," said Mattia Binotto in a video released by the team, in which the Scuderia team boss answered questions from fans. In his estimation, Vettel and Leclerc understood that the collision in the closing stages of Brazil was "unacceptable". "We know how to continue."

Binotto now described Vettel and Leclerc as "good teammates". That's because "both are very fast," "good team players" and a "great mix." Here Leclerc, "young and talented", there Vettel, "a world champion with a lot of experience."

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With five laps to go, Interlagos had come to a duel between the two Ferraris. First, Leclerc passed in a curve, then Vettel pursued. Leclerc left his teammate little space, Vettel moved slightly to the left and it came to a crash. Both cars were damaged, the race over. "What the hell is he doing?" Vettel shouted over the pit radio immediately after the collision with Leclerc. Read more here.

Father Vettel travels to Abu Dhabi on Friday

The relationship between the 32-year-old and the 22-year-old was still "just fine," said Binotto. "They have fun together because they have a good and harmonious relationship, which may be quite different from what you read or think otherwise, and you might think they have a conflict on the track, but that's not the case. "

The two pilots did not comment after the talks with team principal Binotto. Vettel has become father for the third time just before the season finale and will only travel to Abu Dhabi on Friday. The press conference with Leclerc will take place in the afternoon.

In the drivers' standings, Leclerc (249 points) and Vettel (230) are currently only in fourth and fifth place behind Max Verstappen in the Red Bull (260) and the two Silver Arrow drivers Valtteri Bottas (314) and Hamilton (387).