Charles Leclerc on Sebastian Vettel retirement talk: There is always pressure

Charles Leclerc

Leclerc on Vettel retirement talk: There is always pressure

Would Charles oust Seb from Ferrari?

Matthew Scott

Thursday 4 July 2019 18:09 Updated: 08:00

Charles Leclerc has dismissed the notion that Sebastian Vettel will retire at the end of 2019 if he finishes ahead of his Ferrari team-mate in the drivers' championship.

Leclerc has impressed in recent races, outperforming Vettel in France and Austria, although he remains 18 points adrift of the four-time world champion in the standings.

Vettel also had a victory in Canada taken from him by the stewards, prompting an outpouring of frustration from the German, whose comments appeared to cast his future in F1 into doubt.

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Lamenting F1's departure from the sport that he grew up loving, Vettel's comments sparked rumours that he could depart as early as the end of the year, but Leclerc expects his teammate to remain in 2020 at least.

"I do not see him retiring," Leclerc told Sport Bild.

"I cannot speak for him, but he looks more motivated than ever, he works very hard to do the best for the team and himself.

"It's nice to see how he works. I think he's good dealing with the pressure because there is always pressure after you have won so many titles.

"Even if I beat him, that is no reason for him to stop."

Vettel is fourth in the drivers' championship, having fallen behind Max Verstappen after the Red Bull man pipped Leclerc to victory in Austria, denying the Monegasque his maiden race win in F1.