Charles Leclerc refuses to be distracted by the uncertainty surrounding the future of his boss Mattia Binotto.
The Ferrari team principal's job is at risk, if some reports are to be believed. The Italian press has been scathing of the team amid a swathe of costly strategy errors, which have allowed Max Verstappen and Red Bull to put one hand on both titles this season.
Ferrari chief executive John Elkann gave Binotto his vote of confidence this week, but that came with a slightly ominous warning that things have to improve. The team has a fast enough car to be successful, but this year human error has got in the way.
None of that is of much interest to Leclerc, though, who is focussed on his own job. The Tifosi will demand a Ferrari win at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend, and the Monegasque racer has put himself in a good position to deliver that by qualifying on pole for the race.
Asked about the speculation surrounding Binotto, the driver told reporters: "There are always rumours around a Formula 1 team and especially with Ferrari but I think that what is most important in those moments is not to get distracted with whatever is being said around.
"We are very united as a team and I think we need to keep on going like this. We've shown that we've been great from last year to this year doing this type of performance and we need to keep working in that direction. Obviously taking off all of these outside rumours. I didn't hear that one in particular, but obviously we just have to focus on our own job."
Former Ferrari drivers Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel also gave their thoughts on the situation. The Spaniard suggested that such speculation is normal in such a cut-throat sport. "When you're in F1 in general you have to perform, if not things will change," he said. "It's the same for drivers, mechanics, designers, bosses. There's a huge pressure. This is not a charity event. This is professional sports."
Meanwhile, Vettel suggested the speculation is only so strong because this weekend marks the team's home race. "I think you when you race for Ferrari in Monza, in Italy then you will be confronted with rumours, but like Fernando said rumours are rumours," added the German.
"I haven't heard that particular rumour but yeah, I think it's probably something you have to deal with when you are racing for Ferrari in Italy. But equally in two weeks' time we will be somewhere else and you have to deal with it less. Yeah, rumours are there but as I said, I don't know anything right now."
