Sebastian Vettel says he expects season-long pressure from new Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc, off the back of his showing at Formula 1’s opening round of 2019.
Leclerc stepped up to Formula 1 with Sauber last year and his performances convinced long-term backer Ferrari to promote him to the team for this season.
Leclerc qualified and finished fifth at last weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix, having obeyed team instructions to hold position behind Vettel during the closing stages.
“I think for Charles obviously it’s a dream come true, similar to me, but a different point in his career so it’s quite nice to be that young and join a big team like that,” said Vettel on his team-mate’s promotion.
“I think he’s done really well from what I’ve seen so far, he will put a lot of pressure on me the whole season, I’m aware of that. I think we’ll be very close, he’s very talented.
“I’m sure we’ll have tough battles this year but more than anything I hope we have a lot of fun together.”
Vettel also added that he anticipates all six of the front-runners – the Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull drivers – will have “a word to say” in the destination of this year’s title.
“I think you have three big teams and I think all of these three teams have the potential to have a very, very strong year,” said Vettel.
“We’re looking at ourselves first and hopefully both of us will be ahead of everybody else.
“I think we’re aware we’ll be very close so I think Pierre [Gasly] as well got a bit unlucky [in Australia] and I don’t think he was much off the whole weekend compared to Max [Verstappen]. So his race was pretty much lost from the start.
“But I think all of these six drivers in the end will have a word to say. Hopefully as long as possible for all of us to be in the fight.”
