Sebastian Vettel: Alain Prost praises Ferrari team orders to take down Lewis Hamilton
FERRARI prioritising Sebastian Vettel in the battle to oust Lewis Hamilton from his F1 perch has been backed by Alain Prost.
Ferrari have confirmed they will focus on Vettel’s World Drivers’ Championship battle with Hamilton this season.
It means new Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc will definitely be used as a secondary racer in the Prancing Horse’s stable.
In-race team orders are used on occasion and many teams favour one driver over another - especially if they are in a position to win the F1 title.
And Prost is glad Ferrari have stated that Sebastian Vettel will get preferential treatment to tackle Hamilton in 2019.
It's a courageous and indispensable decision
"It's a courageous and indispensable decision," Prost told Le Figaro.
“In a team like Ferrari, it's extremely difficult to win a championship if you let both drivers compete on equal terms.
“It's unfortunate for the sport and we would not have known that 20-30 years ago but today it’s the rule.
“It's better and more cautious to say it from the beginning, it clarifies the situation.
“And it's more comfortable for Charles.”
Prost - a four-time world champion - now works for Renault.
But he insists there is no priority driver between the team’s two men this year, Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg.
"There are not any No 1 and No 2 drivers, both are No 1,” he added.
“There will inevitably be a moment when one will go faster than the other but they are big boys.
“They fight on the track, it's fine but it must be in the best possible state of mind.
“There must be no problem and I am committed on that.”