Charles Leclerc bids farewell to Ferrari team-mate Sebastian Vettel

Ferrari

Leclerc bids farewell to Ferrari team-mate Vettel

Leclerc concedes there were "tense moments" racing alongside Vettel

Ian Parkes

Tuesday 12 May 2020 12:09

Charles Leclerc has conceded to enduring some "tense moments" with Sebastian Vettel but claims it has been "a huge honour" to be his Ferrari Formula 1 team-mate.

Leclerc and Vettel endured an occasionally rocky relationship throughout 2019 after the Monégasque joined the Scuderia at the start of last season.

Following a number of disagreements over the team radio during grands prix regarding team orders, the partnership came to a head in the Brazilian Grand Prix when they collided, sending both out of the race.

Article continues under video

With Vettel confirming he is to leave Ferrari at the end of this season, Leclerc wrote on his Twitter account: "It's been a huge honour for me to be your teammate.

"We've had some tense moments on tracks. Some very good ones and some others that didn't end as we both wanted, but there was always respect, even though it wasn't perceived this way from the outside.

"I've never learnt so much as I did with you as my teammate. Thank you for everything Seb."

In a Zoom conference call with F1 media last month, Leclerc said at the time he would have been happy for Vettel to remain as his team-mate.

"I'm very happy with Seb," remarked Leclerc. "It was good, even though we had a few problems on track, like in Brazil, or things like this.

"It has always been a good relationship, even though from the outside it was probably not seen as it was. But it's always been good between us. So I'll be happy to keep him."

Addressing the possibility of a new team-mate, Leclerc then added: "But I'll respect Ferrari's decision for whoever is next to me, and at the end, it's my job to adapt to the person next to me, and always learn from whoever is your team-mate.

"I will welcome anybody but if Seb stays I will definitely be happy."

Before you go...

Who will replace Vettel at Ferrari?

Could Vettel quit F1 for good?

Sebastian Vettel to leave Ferrari at the end of the season - official