close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US

Vettel urges Leclerc not to "waste" being "most talented driver in F1"

Photo: © LAT Images

Vettel urges Leclerc not to "waste" being "most talented driver in F1"

Vettel left a message on his helmet after swapping lids with Leclerc

Departing Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel has declared Charles Leclerc the "most talented driver" in Formula 1 after the two ended their relationship as team-mates in Abu Dhabi.

Leclerc joined Vettel at Ferrari in 2019 as the replacement for Kimi Raikkonen and such has been the impression left on four-time champion Vettel by the Monégasque, he ranks the 23-year-old ahead of even Lewis Hamilton in terms of pure talent.

The pair swapped helmets after the Abu Dhabi season finale and Vettel wrote a touching tribute to his now-former team-mate.

He wrote: "To Charles, you are the most talented driver I came across in 15 years of F1. Don't waste it. But be sure whatever you do to be happy and smile.

"Thank you for everything!"

Leclerc, who raced with a tribute helmet to Vettel in the season-ending race which was topped with a message of 'Danke Seb', responded on social media to thank the German for "pushing me to improve" across their two years together.

"I learnt so much from you as a person and as a driver in these last two years," wrote Leclerc.

"Thanks for pushing me to improve all the time, it’s been a honor to be your teammate, and I honestly wish you the very best.

"Top driver and a Top Man."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 star George Russell sets marriage deadline: 'Without doubt she's my future'

F1 star George Russell sets marriage deadline: 'Without doubt she's my future'

  • Yesterday 23:15
Fernando Alonso reveals Aston Martin might not be able to race at Monaco Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso reveals Aston Martin might not be able to race at Monaco Grand Prix

  • Yesterday 22:27
Chaotic Monaco Grand Prix finish delivers the craziest three laps in F1 history

Chaotic Monaco Grand Prix finish delivers the craziest three laps in F1 history

  • Yesterday 21:44
McLaren caught out by FIA as Lando Norris incident ends in punishment

McLaren caught out by FIA as Lando Norris incident ends in punishment

  • Yesterday 21:10
Charles Leclerc ‘held talks’ with Mercedes and McLaren over Ferrari exit

Charles Leclerc ‘held talks’ with Mercedes and McLaren over Ferrari exit

  • Yesterday 20:26
Lewis Hamilton tells Ferrari he has found his 'Italian Bono'

Lewis Hamilton tells Ferrari he has found his 'Italian Bono'

  • Yesterday 19:43

Just in

5-6
F1 star George Russell sets marriage deadline: 'Without doubt she's my future'
5-6
Fernando Alonso reveals Aston Martin might not be able to race at Monaco Grand Prix
5-6
Chaotic Monaco Grand Prix finish delivers the craziest three laps in F1 history
5-6
McLaren caught out by FIA as Lando Norris incident ends in punishment
5-6
Charles Leclerc ‘held talks’ with Mercedes and McLaren over Ferrari exit
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

F1 star George Russell sets marriage deadline: 'Without doubt she's my future' Latest F1 News

F1 star George Russell sets marriage deadline: 'Without doubt she's my future'

Yesterday 23:15
Chaotic Monaco Grand Prix finish delivers the craziest three laps in F1 history Monaco Grand Prix

Chaotic Monaco Grand Prix finish delivers the craziest three laps in F1 history

Yesterday 21:44
Charles Leclerc ‘held talks’ with Mercedes and McLaren over Ferrari exit Charles Leclerc

Charles Leclerc ‘held talks’ with Mercedes and McLaren over Ferrari exit

Yesterday 20:26
F1 2026 Monaco Grand Prix weather forecast - latest from Monte Carlo Monaco Grand Prix

F1 2026 Monaco Grand Prix weather forecast - latest from Monte Carlo

Yesterday 18:35
Ontdek het op Google Play
x