Charles Leclerc has played down the possibility of teammate Sebastian Vettel retiring at the end of the season.
Since Monaco, rumours have been circulating that the German is considering his future due to a combination of frustrations with today’s Formula 1 and the ongoing failure to succeed at Ferrari.
The arrival of the Monegasque in 2019 has been suggested as another reason, but Leclerc doesn’t think Vettel leaving is a realistic prospect.
“I don’t see him quitting. I can’t speak for him, but he looks more motivated than ever and he works hard to do his best for the team,” he told Germany’s Bild.
“It’s nice to see how he works. I think he’s good dealing with the pressure because there is always pressure after you have won so many titles.
“Even if I beat him, that is no reason for him to stop.”
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The past two races have seen Leclerc lead Ferrari’s charge as Vettel faced struggles in Q3 and in Austria, only a charging Max Verstappen stopped the 21-year-old claiming his first F1 win.
After his second frustrating defeat this year though, the former F2 champion does concede a final step is needed.
“I knew coming to Ferrari meant having to win, I feel that something is still missing right now,” he was quoted by Formula Passion.
“Sometimes we have difficulties as a team, but we are trying to understand what is wrong and solve it.
“My approach consists in giving the best I can in the car, I don’t think about what others say or expect,” Leclerc added.
“I focus on work and, if everything goes well and I’ll do things right, the results will come. I’m quite convinced of it, the pressure does not affect, I do not feel it.”
