'Ferrari have two problems - reliability and Sebastian Vettel'

The Italian press have taken one look at the situation at Ferrari in the wake of the Bahrain Grand Prix and have made one clear decision - that Sebastian Vettel is a problem that is not going to be easily solved by the team as the 2019 season goes deeper.

Charles Leclerc's sensational, if ultimately heartbreaking, drive in the desert deserved victory and he was only denied by a technical fault, which has been an ongoing issue with Ferrari extending from last season.

His outstanding display was juxtaposed with that of Vettel who, amidst a close battle with Lewis Hamilton for second place, lost control and spun, finishing in fifth position. Mistakes have become all too common for Vettel and the Ferrari-biased Italian media have identified him as a key issue.

La Gazzetta dello Sport said that 'Ferrari have one certainty and two problems. The certainty is Charles Leclerc, and the problems are reliability and Sebastian Vettel.'

Corriere della Serra were even more damning of the German, claiming that he had suffered 'humiliation' at the hands of his young team-mate.

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La Rupubblica said that Leclerc 'is now the true challenger to Lewis Hamilton', while Corriere dello Sport claimed that Ferrari is 'looking to a future which does not include Vettel', adding that 'Mick Schumacher could soon be at the side of Charles Leclerc'.

Bahrain was another testing weekend for Vettel, who appeared tired and short with the media after the race. China has become a pivotal moment for him in shaping the season ahead.

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