Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel believes Charles Leclerc shouldn’t be too upset over missing out on a podium at Turkey, as he is sure the Monegasque driver will have many more top-three finishes in his career.
On the final lap of Sunday’s race at Istanbul, Leclerc made a mistake while battling Sergio Perez for second place, allowing Vettel to sweep through and claim his first podium of 2020.
Leclerc vented his frustration over the radio after crossing the finish line, exclaiming “I did a s*** job” multiple times before team members stepped in to calm him.
Vettel, who will leave Ferrari at the end of the season, says he’s sure that Leclerc will boost his podium tally in years to come, making the Turkey incident irrelevant.
“Looking back to many, many years ago, I think having Charles as a team-mate, I often see myself in him as well,” Vettel said. “He’s a lot younger, he’s very quick.
“I haven’t had the chance to talk to him yet but I will tell him later that being on the podium or not actually is a bit irrelevant for him.
“He has so many years ahead of him and so many podiums to come, which I’m sure of.
“It’s right that he is angry, he did a mistake and lost the podium that way but as I said, in the big picture probably irrelevant for him.”
Vettel added that he is sure the incident will not create a problem between the two of them as they enter the final three grands prix as team-mates.
“I think I’m mature enough, I never let this kind of stuff really heat up and get between us,” Vettel said.
“I’m happy for anything that he achieves and will achieve in the future because he’s a good kid.
“It was a very tough race and I think all of, we were very close to losing it complete at various stages in the race. Obviously it’s extra painful when it happens in the last lap.”
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