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Coulthard: Leclerc will be a threat to Hamilton

Published on 12 Mar 2019 10:58
8
By: Richard Fletcher

As the teams get ready for the season opener in Australia, presenter, pundit and former driver David Coulthard has said that the arrival of Charles Leclerc at Ferrari will provide a threat to Hamilton's chances of a sixth world championship.

Coulthard says that Ferrari's new line up will provide a more dynamic challenge to Hamilton. He believes that Leclerc will motivate Vettel and push him harder than Raikkonen did last year.

"As far as Lewis is concerned, the pairing of Sebastian and Charles has a much more dangerous look to it, in my opinion, than that of Sebastian and Kimi."

Coulthard says that he did not expect Raikkonen to have won many races last season but he fully expects to see Leclerc on the podium spraying champagne this year.

"He is young enough, enthusiastic enough and fast enough to be pushing Sebastian onwards, and that will keep not just Seb on his toes, but Lewis as well."

Ross Brawn added his opinion on the Vettel vs Leclerc debate saying that he thinks that Leclerc is unlikely to beat Vettel during his first season at Ferrari: "I'd be surprised, if I'm honest, Sebastian is very good."

Brawn does believe that Leclerc could unsettle Vettel and that might take some careful management from the team. He also said that Leclerc is going to be the one to watch for 2019.

"I think he's number one in that respect. He's had a very good first year, and now he's in a top team. Talking to some of the people I know at Ferrari they've been very impressed with his approach and attitude. I think he's pretty special."

Brawn added that he believes the Italian team are in a much better position to mount a championship challenge this year. He made reference to the calmer atmosphere within the team under the leadership of Mattia Binotto.

"The team (Ferrari) was in a bit of disarray last year, with Sergio passing away and then clearly there was some friction in the team between Maurizio and Mattia, it wasn't smooth. So it wasn't an easy atmosphere last year."

Vet5

Posts: 225

Really hope Leclerc can push Vettel to the level he was at from 2008 to 2013, but also hope its a vice versa situation, and please please PLEASE let more than 2 teams be fighting for the championship!

1
Mar 12 2019 - 11:26

F1 News Sebastian Vettel Charles Leclerc David Coulthard Ross Brawn Ferrari

Replies (8)

Vet5

Posts: 225
Really hope Leclerc can push Vettel to the level he was at from 2008 to 2013, but also hope its a vice versa situation, and please please PLEASE let more than 2 teams be fighting for the championship!
- + 1
- Mar 12 2019 - 11:26
Sinnrr

Posts: 1
I beg to differ. I think that he is more of a threat to his teammate.
- + 0
- Mar 12 2019 - 15:18
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  If he is a threat to Vettel, he will be a threat to Hammy. In this case, I'd say the two correlate.
  + 1
  
  Mar 12 2019 - 17:17
- mcbhargav
  
  Posts: 1,332
  The threat is this. Hamilton can not run the Vettel focused strategy. Ferrari couldn't care less, as long as one of their drivers could cross the line first ( preferably Vettel if they could control).
  + 0
  
  Mar 12 2019 - 22:29
- Sparky1
  
  Posts: 15
  Who’s is this Hammy???
  + 0
  
  Mar 13 2019 - 00:36
Pistonhead

Posts: 556
Vettel will beat LeClerc, but there will be more consistently high points scores for the team - it feel like Ferrari have taken an extra step - but its all talk till Sunday !
- + 0
- Mar 12 2019 - 21:33
kroketje76

Posts: 20
I think the coming of Leclerc will help Hammilton, all the points Leclerc takes away from Vettel will help him become WC.
- + 0
- Mar 13 2019 - 08:17
cricho

Posts: 80
you are right DC!
Leclerc is going to bring it to Hammilton. Epic racing battles to come....
Just a question of time....
The way i see it VET is not a threat for LEC.
VET better have his war boots on!
- + 0
- Apr 5 2019 - 18:26