F1 News

Leclerc could give Vettel tough decision

Leclerc could give Vettel "tough decision"

28-01-2019 19:00
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Bobby Vincent

Former world champion Jenson Button believes new Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc could force Sebastian Vettel into a "tough decision" over his Formula 1 future.

Leclerc is driving for Ferrari for the first time in 2019, replacing Vettel's friend Kimi Raikkonen.

Vettel ended the 2018 season in disappointing style, with numerous self-inflicted errors causing him to finish in second behind Lewis Hamilton, despite being at the top for a large section of the season.

Button has joined Sky Sports as a pundit for the 2019 season, and at a promotional day for the channel, he compared the current situation at Ferrari to Daniel Ricciardo when he arrived at Red Bull five years ago.

"It's a very different atmosphere for Sebastian at Ferrari than it was at Red Bull," Button said to Sky Sports News. "Maybe there's some more pressure. We're going to see how he copes this year. It's going to be a big year for Sebastian. When Daniel came into Red Bull he found it difficult.

"Daniel put him under a lot of pressure and actually outperformed him. I think if Charles can do that this year, it's a tough decision of where Sebastian is going to go for the future and what he's going to do."

Button went onto say that if Vettel's mind isn't in the right place, then his ability is irrelevant.

"If your mind isn't in the right place, then forget it," Button explained. "Charles seems such a happy-go-luck guy, really relaxed, and I think the team are really going to take to him. And that sometimes can hurt the other driver."