Barrichello: Leclerc to provide a 'good challenge' for Vettel
Barrichello: Leclerc to provide a 'good challenge' for Vettel
Former Formula 1 driver Rubens Barrichello has backed Charles Leclerc to provide a "good challenge" to Sebastian Vettel in the 2019 season following his move to Ferrari from Sauber, but has warned the Monegasque youngster that he must be mentally strong to succeed in the team.
Barrichello competed in F1 for 18 years between 1993 and 2011, and won 11 Grand Prix races in his time, with the majority of the victories coming in the red of Ferrari.
The Brazilian remains hopeful that Leclerc can make an instant impact with the Prancing Horse and even challenge Vettel as the team's top driver, but thinks it is important that 21-year-old has a cool, strong head following the switch from Sauber.
“I’m super excited for him [Leclerc]," Barrichello told Autosport.
“He’s one of those young guys who really made his way through [impressively].
Over the course of @Charles_Leclerc's junior career, he has finished no lower than P2 in the championship standings. 8 titles in 10 years ???? pic.twitter.com/EWehc4uIKQ — Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) January 2, 2019
“To get into Ferrari [and be successful], the only thing you need is to be really good in your head. Talent, we know he has.
“It’s going to be a good challenge for Seb.”
Leclerc only has a solitary season under his belt in Formula 1, but finished in 13th place out of the 20 drivers with 39 points collected with Sauber after honing his craft successfully with championship victories in GP3 and Formula 2.
MORE: Lauda to 'throw away' walking aid in January
MORE: Vettel left 'on his own' in title battle
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Hamilton opens up on Wolff talks over Ferrari move as Verstappen SLAMS F1 decision - GPFans F1 Recap
- Today 00:27
F1 Sprint Qualifying Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule and TV
- Yesterday 23:27
Marko suggests 'exciting' move to REPLACE Ricciardo
- Yesterday 22:57
F1 Practice Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule and TV
- Yesterday 22:27
2024 Sprint changes show F1 is listening to fix imperfect format
- Yesterday 21:57
F1 Chinese Grand Prix: Full track layout for Shanghai International Circuit
- Yesterday 21:27
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860