Sebastian Vettel Reveals the Real Reason Charles Leclerc Beat Him at Ferrari

Charles Leclerc has been Ferrari’s golden boy ever since his F1 debut back in 2018. The Monegasque joined Maranello in 2019 and never looked back since. Back then, Leclerc was tasked with the massive challenge of going up against the four-time champion, Sebastian Vettel. Despite all odds, the newbie beat the Veteran back then. As such, Vettel now recalls the time back then and how the youngster was able to beat him at the Italian squad.

Sebastian Vettel joined Ferrari with great hopes of a championship win following his disappointing time at Red Bull back in 2015. Vettel rose to quick succession and achieved many race wins with the Italian squad. However, come 2019, the veteran was beaten by a sophomore driver in Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque managed to snag two race wins compared to the German’s single victory.

Even in the 2020 season, Sebastian Vettel was beaten by Charles Leclerc after the latter achieved 98 points compared to the mere 33-points scored by the veteran. Now, he recalled his days at Ferrari and how he lost to Leclerc in terms of points. Vettel pointed out that Leclerc had a lot of energy during his switch in teams, while the former was already a four-time champion and multiple race winner.

Charles had so much energy, in fairness I was spoiled – I mean, I won four championships, I won so many races, I had so many poles, whatever. All I was interested in was winning, and that’s the sort of athlete I was: I wanted to win, I wanted the biggest trophy, I wanted that moment on the podium where I knew I won the race, I wanted the Monday morning feeling of ‘I won the last race and feel so good’, but the feeling doesn’t last long enough so you’ve got to win another one.

Sebastian Vettel said on Beyond the Grid podcast.

Sebastian Vettel highlighted that all he cared about was winning back then and chasing that high feeling after a victory. However, when Charles Leclerc came in and finished ahead of the four-time champion, he was extremely overjoyed. Vettel acknowledged that it was understandable since he was in the beginning stage of his career and was racing in a competitive car, as compared to the rest of the grid.

And Charles came in, and when we finished fifth and sixth he was over the moon with a fifth and sixth, because [it was a] different stage of his career and the first time in a competitive car. I think that’s when I started to struggle a bit.

Sebastian Vettel added.

Sebastian Vettel accepts not being ‘at the peak’ anymore

Sebastian Vettel etched his name in the record books as one of the greatest drivers ever witnessed in Formula 1 following his consecutive title wins. However, along the way, he started to realize other dreams of his, and his kids growing up meant that he had to spend time with them as well. Moreover, the Covid era back in 2020 helped Vettel spend more time with his family and realize how much he enjoyed that as well.

During the Covid break in F1, Sebastian Vettel pointed out that he understood how his kids started having problems of their own and needed their father at times. Additionally, Vettel saw the big picture and how the world was suffering from various problems. As such, all these things combined caused the German to lose interest in the sport and not be at his career peak anymore.

Then 2020 comes along, really awkward year with COVID, we’re not racing, I get this fantastic break that I never had and enjoyed it so much with the family. At the same time [I was] becoming aware with the kids growing of problems in the world and how they started to affect me and I’m reflecting them. I would say at that time I was probably not on the peak anymore.

Sebastian Vettel noted.

Charles Leclerc performed great at Ferrari even after Vettel left the team following the culmination of the 2020 season. Now, the Monegasque has kept up with the results, though he has yet to win his first driver’s title. Vettel’s expertise certainly helped Leclerc learn a lot about the sport and keep up with the positive results.

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