Outspoken former Formula 1 champion Jacques Villeneuve believes a decision to promote Charles Leclerc to Ferrari in 2019 would only "end in tears".
A series of strong performances with Sauber during his rookie season had many believing a switch to the Scuderia was a done deal for next season in place of Kimi Raikkonen.
Since the shock death of chairman Sergio Marchionne, however, indications have pointed towards the Finn staying on for at least one more year with an announcement expected around Monza.
For Villeneuve, that would be the only sensible call by the Italian team based on the performance of the 39-year-old this season.
"He's third in the championship, he's often quicker than Vettel, when he's not he's what, a tenth behind? He's paramount in the development of the car. The whole team works fantastically well now," he told F1's official 'Beyond the Grid' podcast.
"Put a young cub next to Vettel. What will Vettel do? He'll try to eat him alive and either he will destroy the young cub, or it'll end in tears and the whole team will end up going slower within two years, so that's not constructive."
Also Read:
- Vettel sees "no rush" in promoting Leclerc to Ferrari
- Leclerc's performance opening doors for other young drivers, says Russell
The Canadian also pointed to the occasional mistakes the 20-year-old continues to make, claiming Ferrari should wait until he is more the finished article.
"It would be great for Leclerc, it would be amazing for him, but it would be two years of Ferrari preparing him," he said..
"Ferrari is like Mercedes, it's not a team to prepare drivers. It's a top team. Top teams, they buy and they pay the drivers as when they're at their best and when they want them.
"That's why you have junior teams to prepare them."
