Leclerc “happy” if Vettel remains his Ferrari F1 teammate

Charles Leclerc says he would “definitely be happy” if Sebastian Vettel remains his Formula 1 teammate at Ferrari next season. 

Vettel is entering the final year of his Ferrari contract and recently revealed there is a “high chance” an extension would be agreed before racing gets underway in 2020 following a delayed start caused by the coronavirus crisis. 

Talks between the two parties are ongoing but Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport reported a renewed deal had hit a snag after the four-time world champion was not happy with the reduced terms proposed by Ferrari. 

“Even though we had a few problems on track like in Brazil and things like this, I’m very happy with Seb and it has always been a good relationship even if from the outside it’s probably not seen as it was,” Leclerc told media during a video conference. 

“It has always been good between us so I would be happy to keep him but I will respect Ferrari’s decision for whoever is next to me and at the end of the day it’s my job to adapt to the person next to me and you can always learn from whoever is your team mate. 

“I would welcome anybody but if Seb stays I would definitely be happy.”

Leclerc insisted his relationship with Vettel is “a lot better than people” think despite a few fractious moments during their first season as teammates together in 2019, including an intra-team clash in Brazil. 

"The relationship with Seb is a lot better than people maybe think it is from looking from outside,” Leclerc said during an appearance on Sky F1’s Vodcast series.

"It's always been the same from the beginning to now and that's good. Even though we've had a few problems on track, every time we have spoken calmly and we came back stronger.

"After Brazil it was difficult but actually the race just after it was all fine again between us. So that is good and that's what I like with Seb.”

EDITOR'S PICKS: Assessing Ferrari's alternatives to Vettel for F1 2021