David Coulthard: “Seb’s been on the ropes all year"

Former F1 driver David Coulthard feels that it's been a difficult year for multiple world champion Sebastian Vettel for many reasons, highlighting the quality and pressure which his teammate Charles Leclerc has put on him.

The 22-year-old Leclerc holds a 19 point gap over his teammate going into the final race of the season next Sunday.

“Seb’s been on the ropes all year,” Coulthard told Channel 4.

“It’s been a tough season for him with young Charles coming in and showing what speed he’s got.

“Lots of pole positions and running in front of him in the Championship, Seb is a four-time World Champion, but past performances don’t guarantee you future success.

“I think desperate people do desperate things and I’m not saying he is desperate, but he just isn’t quite as good in wheel-to-wheel combat as others.

Vettel has just the solitary race win to his name so far this season and has found it tough to keep up at the top of the standings this season.