Vettel is "a good driver" but not "magical"

Sebastian Vettel might be a four-time World Champion but Max Verstappen believes the German is only a “good driver” and not a great one citing his battles with fellow drivers as the reason for his opinion.

Verstappen went wheel to wheel with Vettel in China but was unable to make the move stick as the pair finished P3 and P4 respectively. The former Red Bull driver won four straight world titles between 2010 and 2013 before joining Ferrari in 2015 where he has struggled to match Mercedes’ dominance.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport Verstappen felt some of the flaws other drivers have exposed in Vettel has stopped him being a “magical” driver.

“[He’s] a good driver, he could not have won four titles,” said Verstappen.

"Despite that, I never thought it was magical and that is, in part, because Ricciardo managed to beat him in Red Bull and now the confirmation can come with Leclerc, which also makes it very difficult for him.”

"If there is a possibility that Leclerc and we become teammates, accept that challenge and this also applies to Hamilton.

“He has already won five titles, but I do not care.”