Leclerc understands added scrutiny on Vettel relationship

Charles Leclerc says it is understandable that his partnership with Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari has begun under intense media scrutiny, in a way that is perhaps not replicated at rivals Mercedes, where Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas appear to be much more stable.

Leclerc's relationship with Vettel has been under the microscope from the off this year, with Ferrari declaring the German as their "champion" and favouring him in several situations this season.

That resulted in Leclerc being issued team orders in each of the first three races of the campaign, only increasing the pressure, although the Monegasque is sanguine about the situation.

"I can see on social media that there are many more comments about the both of us," Leclerc told Monaco Matin. "In a way, I can understand it.

"Hamilton and Bottas have been together for some time, while Ferrari has brought in a young driver. At the moment, many people are watching my first steps in red. It seems normal to me."

Mercedes have taken one-two finishes in all four races so far this year as Ferrari have struggled to make good on pre-season promise.

Leclerc saw a likely win in Bahrain taken away from him by a mechanical failure and believes the SF90 is not failing against the W10, despite the Silver Arrows' record-breaking start to 2019.

"I think we can improve our pace in the race," he said. "In certain track conditions, the car requires very precise, sharp adjustments to be effective.

"If you are not exactly in the window, you are wasting time. But the potential is there!

"In fact, the difference [between Ferrari and Mercedes] is tiny: not even half a second per lap, just two or three tenths.

"In Bahrain, we were going faster. In Australia and China, it was them.

"In Baku, we had a chance, but it went to waste because of me."

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