Sebastian Vettel is “overrated” and should “help and support” Charles Leclerc into the lead driver role at Ferrari, ex-academy boss Luca Baldisserri claims
The pressure is back on the 32-year-old after another critical mistake at the British Grand Prix, which saw him collide with Max Verstappen moments after being overtaken by the Dutchman.
And as he prepares to return to Hockenheim, where he infamously crashed out while leading last year, questions over his status within the Ferrari team are being asked.
“I am critical of Vettel. I think he is an overrated driver and not the successor to Michael Schumacher,” Baldisserri was quoted by GPFans.
“This is still the driver that won four world championships, but he makes too many mistakes and has to find himself in some way.
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“When Leclerc becomes a more mature and experienced rider, he will need a teammate who can help and support,” he noted.
“I believe that Vettel has the necessary experience to become an excellent partner for Leclerc.”
The Monegasque has outperformed Vettel at the past three races and is currently on a four-race podium-scoring streak, thanks mostly to Vettel’s collision at Silverstone.
And fellow four-time F1 champion Alain Prost has suggested earlier speculation about Sebastian’s future in F1 could be playing a role.
“There is the pressure of whether he will stop or not [at the end of the season], rumours left and right [about his future in F1],” he told Canal Plus.
“Very sincerely, it must be a very complicated time to live for him.”