Sebastian Vettel remains a “central” figure at Ferrari despite speculation over his future.
The four-time world champion is out of contract at the Italian team after 2020, and the arrival and rise of teammate Charles Leclerc last year has raised questions over Vettel’s place with the Scuderia going forward.
However, with Ferrari not yet ready to put all their eggs in the Monegasque’s basket, Vettel’s experience still means he has a lot to offer.
“He is a natural leader in his DNA, he is a central person in our project,” sporting director Laurent Mekies told Autosprint.
“He is always able to find the right words, calm and the right motivation and that too is extraordinary.”
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Vettel does still enter 2020 needing to show Ferrari he has the pace and the consistency to challenge for wins and the championship, particularly with plenty of younger, cheaper drivers available.
But Mekies is confident the 32-year-old will be stronger.
“On paper, the longer you stay with a pilot, the more you get, and I would put myself in these terms with Vettel because he’s been with us for a long time,” he concluded.