Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto claims allowing Sebastian Vettel to win in Singapore was the "right choice" for his confidence.
The German lucked into the lead at Marina Bay as the undercut proved more effective than the Italian team predicted and he catapulted ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc.
While the Monegasque branded the move "unfair", Ferrari opted not to put him back ahead and instead gave Vettel his one and only win of 2019, something Binotto believes impacted his performance for the rest of the year.
“In the first part of the season, he has been put under a lot of pressure. I think he reacted very well in the second half,” Binotto told Autosport.
“The victory in Singapore has been key for him, not only for the victory itself but the trust in the team.
“He knew that he could count on the team for help if necessary, but I think it was right, it was the right choice and time to let him win.
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“When he had a lot of overall confidence in the car," the Ferrari boss added. "I think he has been very fast and if you look at his race pace he is very similar to Charles, who has been faster in quali instead.
“So I think I would say, well done to him for the second part of the season – well done for the way he reacted after a not easy first half of the season.”
Ultimately, however, Vettel would still end the season behind Leclerc in the Drivers' standings repeating what happened alongside Daniel Ricciardo in their only season together at Red Bull in 2014.
Comparisons to that year were made ever since it was announced the 22-year-old would be joining Ferrari, but the four-time world champion sees them both differently.
"I understand that people refer to 2014," he told Motorsport-Magazin. "I lost on paper and it's fair to say that because the numbers say I lost to Daniel.
"But I also know that in 2014 some things didn't go as we hoped they would. My primary goal in 2014 was not to be on the podium or to finish fifth. My goal was to win races.
"Perhaps my attitude at that time was slightly different from Daniel's, but more than that: 2014 was not a great year.
"I don't want to say that I was out of luck but I was let down a few times, the car didn't work as it should and so on, that may distort the picture and the numbers.
"It is important that I know how the year went and how I feel with it. I saw Daniel's success in 2014 first-hand and as his teammate.
"I still do that. I have no problem with that, but I'm also confident that I can beat anyone who drives out there. I'm not afraid of the competition. That makes no sense.
"If you want to win and fear competition, these are two things that don't go together."
