Vettel: 'That Verstappen can fight for the title gives him peace of mind'

That Max Verstappen has taken over the lead in the Formula One championship and can finally really fight for the title will give him peace of mind, according to Sebastian Vettel.

The Dutchman has been one of the sport's top drivers for several years but was unable to compete for the world title until the current season. Now that Red Bull Racing has the equipment to make things difficult for Mercedes, that has changed.

Vettel believes this knowledge will give Verstappen peace of mind, as he now sees that he and his team are capable of beating Mercedes. "That you are competing in the title fight gives you peace of mind, " says the four-time world champion to Motorsport-Total.com, although he also points out that at this stage it makes little difference who is leading the championship.

"You know you have a good car, a good team around you and that you can get it done," the 33-year-old German continued. "When you're in front, of course, you want to make sure you keep finishing in front so you can increase the gap. But as I said it's still early, there have only been five races. But the most important thing is the knowledge that you are there," Vettel said.