Former Formula 1 driver believes Sebastian Vettel has lost his number 1 status
F1 News
JJ Lehto, one of Michael Schumacher's teammates at Benetton, believes Charles Leclerc has already gained the number 1 driver status at Ferrari. The former Formula 1 driver who competed between 1989-1994 suggests Vettel doesn't have the right people around him at Ferrari.
"Michael [Schumacher] was no tyrant. He was an insanely good driver, but he also put the right people around him. Perhaps that is Vettel's weakness: he didn't have the people to bring with him to Ferrari to build his own team," Lehto told Iltalehti newspaper.
Ferrari have won just two races across the whole 2019 F1 season. Both of those falling to 21-year-old Leclerc in his first season at the Italian team. With Vettel continuously making mistakes on track, Lehto says Leclerc is the driver who takes Ferrari forwards.
"The expectations to succeed are always high at Ferrari, and there is always a number 1 driver to take the team forwards. Leclerc has shown that Ferrari can win too, which creates confidence and enthusiasm. A new sheriff is in town," he concluded.