Sebastian Vettel’s influence on Charles Leclerc’s career cannot be overstated. As a mentor, competitor, and teammate, Vettel helped shape Leclerc into the driver he is today
From technical knowledge to racecraft and mental resilience, the four-time world champion left a lasting impact on the young Ferrari driver.
While Leclerc has since taken on a leadership role at Ferrari, the lessons he learned from Vettel remain a fundamental part of his approach to racing.
With Hamilton joining the team and new leadership in place, Ferrari hopes to end its long title drought.
Leclerc’s talent is undeniable, but as the 2022 season showed, F1 is about more than just driver skill. Strategy, reliability, and development are equally crucial.
If Ferrari can learn from their past mistakes, Leclerc may still have a shot at achieving his championship dream.
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Sebastian Vettel’s Influence on Charles Leclerc’s Growth at Ferrari
Charles Leclerc’s rise in Formula 1 has been nothing short of remarkable.1
From his debut with Sauber in 2018 to his promotion to Ferrari in 2019, the Monegasque driver quickly established himself as one of the brightest young talents on the grid.
However, behind his rapid development was a crucial mentorship—Sebastian Vettel.
Xavi Marcos, Leclerc’s former race engineer, recently shed light on how Vettel’s experience and detailed approach to racing helped shape Leclerc’s skills.
In this article, we will explore the impact Vettel had on Leclerc’s growth, from racecraft to tire management and mental resilience.
This place. These people. This car. This team. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/n4SrXuuK4M
— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) February 20, 2025
The Arrival of Charles Leclerc at Ferrari
Leclerc’s promotion to Ferrari in 2019 was a bold move by the Italian team. At just 21 years old, he replaced Kimi Räikkönen and joined forces with four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.
Many questioned whether Leclerc could handle the pressure of racing for Ferrari, especially alongside a driver as accomplished as Vettel.
However, Leclerc did not take long to prove his worth. He secured multiple pole positions, won races in Belgium and Italy, and finished ahead of Vettel in the championship standings.
Despite his rapid success, it was clear that Vettel’s influence played a key role in shaping the young Monegasque’s approach to racing.
Vettel’s Experience as a Guiding Force
According to Xavi Marcos, one of the biggest advantages of having Vettel as a teammate was his vast experience.
Vettel, who had been in Formula 1 since 2007, brought a wealth of knowledge to the Ferrari team.
“So Sebastian, yeah, he had a lot more experience. So we tried to learn as much as we could from Sebastian,” Marcos told Pitdebrief.
One of the areas where Vettel helped Leclerc the most was in understanding the car’s intricate details. Vettel was known for his technical feedback, often providing in-depth analysis of the car’s behavior.
This helped Leclerc refine his ability to communicate with engineers and understand how to extract the most from his car.
Charles Leclerc’s Development Feedback
Sebastian Vettel’s reputation for being meticulous was well-known throughout the paddock.2
He was often seen taking extensive notes, discussing strategies with engineers, and paying close attention to every detail of the car’s performance.
Leclerc, still early in his Ferrari career, benefited from this meticulous approach. By closely observing Vettel’s methods, he learned how to analyze data more effectively, give precise feedback to engineers, and make necessary adjustments to his driving style.
This helped Leclerc not only in his early years at Ferrari but also as he matured into a team leader after Vettel’s departure in 2020.
Today, Leclerc is regarded as one of the most intelligent and adaptable drivers on the grid, a skillset he partly developed through his time alongside Vettel.
Tire Management: A Key Lesson from Vettel
Tire management is one of the most critical aspects of modern Formula 1 racing. The ability to extend tire life while maintaining pace can often determine race results.
Vettel, known for his exceptional tire management skills, played a significant role in improving Leclerc’s ability in this area.
“And that’s what we focus on. And also tire management on their side. So we are trying to learn from them. And nowadays, Charles is quite good on tire management,” Marcos explained.
In his early career, Leclerc was sometimes aggressive on his tires, leading to faster degradation. However, after learning from Vettel, he gradually improved his ability to extend tire life without compromising speed.
This skill has become evident in several races where Leclerc has executed strategic tire-saving stints to maximize his performance.
Charles Leclerc: Mental Toughness and Handling Pressure
Driving for Ferrari is unlike driving for any other Formula 1 team. The immense pressure from fans, media, and the team itself can be overwhelming.3
Vettel had already experienced the highs and lows of being a Ferrari driver, winning races but also facing intense scrutiny when things did not go well.
Leclerc learned from Vettel how to handle this pressure. Vettel’s calm demeanor and experience in dealing with setbacks gave Leclerc an example to follow. The young driver learned how to stay composed under pressure, focus on improvement, and not let criticism affect his performance.
One of the best examples of Leclerc’s mental growth was the 2019 Italian Grand Prix. In front of the passionate Tifosi at Monza, Leclerc held off both Mercedes drivers to secure a historic victory for Ferrari.
His ability to withstand immense pressure and execute a near-perfect race reflected the mental resilience he had developed.
A Healthy but Competitive Relationship
While Vettel played a mentorship role for Leclerc, their relationship was not without competition. The 2019 season saw several intense on-track battles between the two Ferrari drivers, with Leclerc often challenging Vettel’s authority within the team.
One of the most dramatic moments came at the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2019 when both drivers collided, ending their race. This incident highlighted the competitive tension between them, but it also showed Leclerc’s growing confidence in challenging a four-time world champion.
Despite their clashes, Leclerc and Vettel maintained mutual respect. Even after Vettel’s departure from Ferrari in 2020, he continued to support Leclerc, often praising his talent and potential.
The Evolution of Leclerc Post-Vettel Era
After Vettel left Ferrari at the end of 2020, Leclerc stepped into the role of the team’s lead driver.
With a new teammate in Carlos Sainz, Leclerc took on more responsibility in car development, strategy decisions, and leadership within the team.
The lessons he learned from Vettel became even more evident. His improved racecraft, better tire management, and enhanced technical feedback have all contributed to making him a stronger driver.
While Ferrari has struggled with consistency in recent seasons, Leclerc remains one of the most promising drivers on the grid.
His ability to extract maximum performance from the car, adapt to different race conditions, and handle pressure continues to grow—attributes he honed during his time with Vettel.
Also Read: Charles Leclerc (Formula 1 driver): Bio/Wiki, Career, Relationship, Music Album and More
Marcos on Charles Leclerc’s Failed 2022 F1 Title Campaign Bid
Charles Leclerc entered the 2022 Formula 1 season with high hopes and strong performances in the early races.
Ferrari emerged as one of the top teams under the new regulations, putting Leclerc in a prime position to fight for the championship.
However, as the season progressed, a combination of strategic blunders, reliability issues, and poor car development derailed his title bid.
Marcos, a key figure in Ferrari’s technical team at the time, reflected on the ups and downs of that season, acknowledging both the frustrations and the positives.
Leclerc’s Strong Start to the Season
Leclerc’s campaign began on a high note. Ferrari capitalized on the regulation changes better than most teams, delivering a car that was both fast and competitive.
Leclerc secured victories in Bahrain and Australia, establishing himself as an early favorite in the title fight against Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
At one point, Leclerc held a commanding lead in the drivers’ standings, with Ferrari showcasing impressive pace and execution. The Italian team appeared poised to challenge Red Bull throughout the season, raising hopes among Tifosi that a first title since 2007 was within reach.
Ferrari’s Strategic and Reliability Woes
Despite their promising start, Ferrari soon found themselves struggling due to a series of costly mistakes.
Reliability issues struck at crucial moments, with power unit failures and mechanical setbacks forcing Leclerc to retire from multiple races.
These failures significantly dented his title aspirations, allowing Verstappen to close the gap and eventually overtake him in the standings.
Marcos highlighted Ferrari’s struggle with strategy, admitting that mistakes were made but defending the team against excessive criticism:
“First, you have a competitive car, and then you need a reliable car. And in terms of strategy, yeah, everyone makes mistakes. Whatever Ferrari does, it’s always more public, but again, it’s not easy. You take some decisions with the information that you have at that time, and that’s what it is.”
Ferrari’s decision-making in key races, such as the Monaco and British Grands Prix, came under heavy scrutiny.
Poor pit stop calls and misjudged tire strategies cost Leclerc valuable points, leading to frustration within the team and among fans.
Charles Leclerc’s Declining Form and Verstappen’s Dominance
As Ferrari faltered, Verstappen and Red Bull capitalized on their consistency. The Dutchman racked up a series of wins, showcasing Red Bull’s superior race execution and strategy.
Leclerc, on the other hand, struggled to maintain his early-season momentum.
By mid-season, it became evident that Ferrari was losing ground. The once-promising title challenge turned into a desperate battle to hold onto second place in the standings. Marcos acknowledged that while the team had a competitive car, they were ultimately unable to convert it into a title-winning package:
“It was frustrating, but at some point, you realize we had a competitive car, and I would prefer to have a competitive car and not finish because, as an engineer, you are there.”
The Cost of Poor Development
One of Ferrari’s biggest issues in 2022 was the lack of consistent car development. While Red Bull introduced upgrades that improved performance and reliability, Ferrari struggled to keep up.
Their aggressive approach to engine performance resulted in multiple failures, forcing the team to dial back power output.
Marcos acknowledged that Ferrari’s technical team faced immense pressure, especially given the high expectations from fans and media. While they started with a strong car, their inability to sustain development ultimately cost them the championship.
Charles Leclerc: Workout
Charles Leclerc shared some glimpses from his intense workout routine on his official instagram account.
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Marcos and Leclerc’s Split
At the end of the 2022 season, Ferrari underwent internal changes, leading to Marcos and Leclerc parting ways.
The team sought to revamp its technical and strategic operations in hopes of mounting a stronger title challenge in the coming years.
Leclerc, meanwhile, faced a new challenge as he prepared to team up with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
The arrival of Hamilton at Ferrari brought a fresh dynamic to the team, with Leclerc needing to prove himself against one of the greatest drivers in F1 history.
Also Read: Who is Charles Leclerc’s Mother Pascale Leclerc? Career, Net Worth 2023 and More
