Image source, Getty Images

So... this is not the first time we've had a properly awkward situation, is it Seb?

In the 2013 Malaysian GP, Vettel refused stay behind Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber after Christian Horner asked him to.

"Mark is too slow, get him our of the way," Vettel said, before steaming around Webber, winning the race AND dominating the title eventually.

"Multi 21" was the order and Vettel was having none of it.

Oh Ferrari, know your employees...

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All the while Lewis Hamilton remains close to Charles Leclerc, there will be no way the Ferrari two could swap, even if Vettel was willing to. Vettel knows this so is driving into the distance as a result to make his argument against swapping back even stronger.

Leclerc has won twice this season, team orders could be denying him yet again today. Ever since the start of the campaign the team orders have seemingly favoured Vettel, with Leclerc not even allowed to attack his team-mate for fourth back in race one in Australia.

Sebastian Vettel benefited from a strategy call last week, where he pitted a lap earlier than then-leader Charles Leclerc and now he has been given the lead, but refused to hand it back as he was meant to.

The lead is now 4.1 seconds and climbing. Another fastest lap from Vettel, giving Ferrari bosses an even bigger headache.

Engineer: "Lewis degradation looks low, we're going to go target 15."

"Is that +15 laps than they were already going to do?" asks Jack.

LH: "I am feeling some deg."

As expected, Max Verstappen has got ahead of Carlos Sainz. That's fifth now for Max Verstappen, but he's 20 seconds off Valtteri Bottas so this may be as good as the day goes for the Dutchman.

"You can push now."

Bit late now!

Vettel goes faster again. That takes the lead up to four seconds.

"These guys have some serious pace, man."

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Remember, the Ferrari two are on the softs, with the Mercedes two on the mediums so the Ferraris will need to pit earlier on.

We've not heard the end of this one.

Former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde...

Jimmy O'Shea: Leclerc is fuming and despite what we are hearing from Ferrari over the radio they are fuming too what a shambles

Inge: Vettel will have to go in for a new set of tyres...

John Jefferis: But the point is Charles was clearly ordered to let Seb through at the start. Not like Seb passed him fairly

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Claire Cottingham
BBC Radio 5 live pit-lane reporter

I don't think I've ever seen anything like this before with Ferrari.

I'd love to know what's being said right now on that pit wall - everyone is sat with their heads down not really looking at each other.

Jack Nicholls
BBC Radio 5 Live F1 commentator

What we've learned from the radio that Ferrari have decided to let Vettel through at the start and then swap them back. Vettel hasn't made a great overtake. Leclerc has been ordered to let Vettel in the lead providing they would swap back and now that swap isn't happening.

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Another fastest lap from Sebastian Vettel. Get as big a lead as possible and then it won't be possible to do the switch back to give Leclerc the lead. That seems to be the tactic.

"I completely understand, the only thing is and I respect it but I gave him the slipstream no problems and then I try and to push at the beginning of the race.

"No problems. Another situation."

Max Verstappen started ninth and he's already gained three spots. Next up for him is Carlos Sainz.

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer

If they have to choose between these two drivers for the future, it's not going to be Vettel they choose is it?

1. Vettel
2. Leclerc +2.6
3. Hamilton +6.3
4. Bottas +13.1
5. Sainz +21.7
6. Norris +25.0
7. Verstappen +25.7