Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff has responded to Ferrari claiming Sebastian Vettel will be prioritised at the start of the 2019 Formula 1 season.

Ahead of a year that most expect will see a strong battle between the German and his new teammate Charles Leclerc, team boss Mattia Binotto disappointed some by suggesting Vettel is likely to be favoured.

Based on Ferrari's history, the move isn't surprising but Wolff believes the declaration has another purpose.

"I think first of all Mattia has a tremendous task in front of him and I believe that he wants to do it his own way," the Mercedes chief noted in Barcelona.

"Team orders always a very controversial topic. We've discussed it last year within Mercedes or Ferrari and coming out at the beginning of season saying that is a statement."

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Last year, Ferrari was criticised for not supporting Vettel's championship challenge strongly enough, resulting in moments like at Monza when Kimi Raikkonen was able to gain pole by slipstreaming behind his teammate.

Indeed, decisions like that are believed to have contributed towards the decision to promote Binotto and drop former team principal Maurizio Arrivabene.

"I've known Mattia for quite a long time, for many years first as engine boss then as technical director, now he's stepped up to team principal," Wolff said of his counterpart.

"I respect him. He's a very intelligent man and knows how to manoeuvre his way through paddock and he will be a force to be reckoned with."

Despite the intentions of Ferrari, however, predictions continue to be made of Leclerc causing a stir at Maranello.

"If he were to start immediately strong, it could create an involuntary mess with Vettel. Just like with [Daniel] Ricciardo a few years ago," Jacques Villeneuve claimed, referring to the Australian's arrival at Red Bull in 2014.

"In theory, Vettel was the favourite but things can sometimes turn against you on the psychological level and you don't know why.

"He knows that if things do not go well, the future at Ferrari will no longer be his but Leclerc's. The pressure is all on him," the Canadian added.

"Seb has everything to lose, Charles nothing."