F1 news: Sebastian Vettel 'may find new level' in Lewis Hamilton battle - Christian Horner
SEBASTIAN VETTEL could take his efforts to a ‘new level’ thanks to the arrival of Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc, according to his former F1 boss Christian Horner.
Vettel is a four-time winner of the F1 driver’s championship, with all of them guided by Horner.
That was when Vettel was with Red Bull, however, and the German has yet to win a championship with Ferrari.
He has, though, managed to pip his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen to the post three years running now, but the Finn has been replaced by Leclerc.
Horner reckons that Leclerc’s arrival could make things difficult for Vettel.
He also noted how forming a new relationship with Leclerc will drive him to do better this year, and to push for a fifth driver’s title.
"Charles is a really exciting talent," Horner said.
"For the sport it's great to see.
"Sebastian's now 31, you've got these youngsters coming through starting to put pressure on the established guys.
“From a sport point of view, it's fascinating.
"He [Vettel] had Kimi pretty easily covered. He might have to work a bit harder with Charles but he may now find a new level.
"So it might in turn be good for him to be pushed even harder."
Vettel will finally be looking to end Mercedes’ and Lewis Hamilton’s stranglehold on F1, when the season starts in March.
The two have been big rivals for years now, and share an impressive nine titles between them.
Horner also spoke about Vettel’s position at Ferrari, and how the 31-year-old will cope with the changes going on.
"I'm sure he must be supportive of the changes that have been made, and of course there's so much expectation when you're the number one driver at Ferrari,” he added.
"He's got new team-mates, new management - there's quite a lot new around him this year."