Ferrari has clarified its stance on team orders, confirming Charles Leclerc is allowed to finish in front of his team mate.

“Charles is allowed to go as fast as he can, he is allowed to try to go for pole, he is allowed to try to stay ahead and we’re not stopping him doing that,” said Binotto.

“But I think it’s important that our two drivers are not fighting and taking any risks and crashing together. No doubt that if the first lap Charles is ahead he will stay, if at the end of the race he is ahead he will stay ahead.”

Asked whether that meant Vettel and Leclerc are not allowed to fight each other under any circumstances, Binotto said: “Let’s wait the next races and let’s see if there is any instances and how we will react.”

Binotto said the decision to tell the drivers to hold position in Australia was a straightforward one under the circumstances.

“I think it was not a hard decision because I think that the way we are managing those situations are clear with the drivers and are clear before the race,” he said in response to a question from RaceFans.

“I think Sebastian was ahead 10 laps to go, we hold the positions, we didn’t take any risk, we think that is the right approach. Both drivers are aware. I think that has been not a hard decision in that respect.”