Daniel Ricciardo: Sebastian Vettel - Charles Leclerc Ferrari rivalry reminiscent of Red Bull days

Daniel Ricciardo

Ricciardo: Vettel - Leclerc rivalry reminiscent of Red Bull days

'The young guy fighting the old man!'

Matthew Scott

Saturday 27 July 2019 11:03

Daniel Ricciardo sees similarities between Sebastian Vettel's battle with new Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc and their own year together at Red Bull.

Ricciardo arrived at Red Bull in 2014, with the team and Vettel celebrating four consecutive championships.

However, the new engine regulations saw the dominance ended, with Mercedes taking over, and Vettel struggled badly to adapt, finishing behind Ricciardo in the standings that year as the Australian took three race wins.

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Neither Vettel or Leclerc have won a race yet in 2019 as Ferrari have struggled in the face of continued Mercedes dominance, but the Monegasque has piled pressure on Vettel, whose error-prone end to 2018 has spilled into the current campaign.

"I do see the similarities," Ricciardo said. "A young guy comes to a strong team and tries to bring the fight to the older guy.

"It's a bit like Charles now, he's bringing pressure. You should probably ask Seb about this, but I do see the similarities with 2014. But he's strong enough to handle it."

Amid his struggles over the past year, Vettel has been linked with retirement as soon as this year, but Ricciardo believes the German still has plenty left in the tank.

Ricciardo said: "He has it in his own hands, I think he just has to get some momentum on his side.

"Charles is young, he's still improving, and I think he'll be up there for many years.

"It's up to Seb how he deals with it. It's probably up to him how long he wants to go.

"If he is motivated and focused, then he can certainly drive for a few more years. He has to know that himself."