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Leclerc compares Sainz to Vettel: 'With Carlos it takes so long too'

Leclerc compares Sainz to Vettel: 'With Carlos it takes so long too'

29-07-2021 09:11 Last update: 10:20
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GPblog.com

Charles Leclerc has a new teammate at Ferrari with Carlos Sainz this season. The Spaniard is the replacement of Sebastian Vettel who drove with Leclerc for the Italian team in the two previous seasons. The Monegasque sees differences, but also similarities between the two drivers.

Leclerc looked up to Vettel quite a bit right from his first season. The four-time world champion showed excellent driving skills in the past, so Leclerc tried to learn a lot from his teammate. Last season however he proved to be the better driver and won convincingly against Vettel, after which the German left for Aston Martin.

Despite this, the relationships remained the same, Leclerc tells Motorsport.com. "If I wanted to win something, he would let me win so I would be happy. It didn't matter to him though. With Carlos, it's a bit different. I can see that he is hugely frustrated when I beat him with something. It can be the most dastardly thing, but he's so angry then. That goes for me as well."

Vettel and Leclerc analyse for a long time

In addition, Leclerc sees that both drivers have some comparisons. "I thought that of the whole grid he (Vettel) was the driver who takes the longest to analyse, but I think he can almost hold a competition with Carlos. With Carlos it takes so long too."