Leclerc took part in his first Grand Prix for the Scuderia two weeks ago in Australia, finishing just behind his team-mate.
During that race, Leclerc finished just over a second behind four-time champion Vettel.
The youngster appeared to have more pace than the experienced German, and looked like he could have gone past at one point.
But Ferrari refused to give the go-ahead to Leclerc, and the Frenchman was forced to stay behind.
While some drivers would be unhappy about not being allowed to compete with their team-mates, Leclerc insisted that he understood why he wasn’t allowed to overtake.
“I understand the decision,” he explained.
“For the team, whether I finish fourth and Seb fifth or I finish fifth and Seb fourth, it’s the exact same in terms of points.
“It will only cost more to the team if they let us fight.
“I understand it.”
Ferrari are not allowed to instruct a driver to let their team-mate pass due to team orders rules, but Leclerc insisted that he is okay with playing second-fiddle.
Asked whether or not the time will come when he disagrees with his team, Leclerc’s response made for grim reading for Vettel.
“In some situations, yes [I will disagree]” he admitted.
“We will see.
“For now, I have not had the situation.
“I think it is very important to be working as a team, and thats what we did in Australia.”