Leclerc accepts team orders 'to a point'

Charles Leclerc says he will only listen to team orders from Ferrari "to a point" in the coming races.

The Monaco born team newcomer is clearly 'number 2' to Sebastian Vettel, but he has expressed frustration when told to move aside so far in 2019.

"I need to show what I am capable of on the track so that the situation will change one day," Leclerc said as he met with select reporters in Monaco.

"Like every driver, I want to be the best.  So far, I have understood every decision, even if sometimes it is difficult to accept them.

"I understand what the hierarchy is at the moment, but I will do everything possible to change it.  So to a point, I will do what is required of me," the 21-year-old added.

Leclerc is also expecting Ferrari to be fast this weekend in Barcelona, even though Mercedes has done a 1-2 at all four races in 2019.

"We understood the problem of Australia, and in Bahrain it was right.  In China it was a little less good but in Baku it was good again -- better in qualifying than in the race.

"We are going in the right direction, and I think we will be strong everywhere if we put it in the right window.  The improvements in Baku brought us a step closer," he said.