Vettel/Leclerc partnership will be much stronger in 2020 - Button

  • Published on 12 Feb 2020 12:16
  • comments 1
  • By: Coilin Higgins

2009 world champion Jenson Button has expressed his belief that Ferrari drivers Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc will form a much better partnership in 2020, after a difficult 2019 season.

The pair were the centre of attention throughout last season as both drivers ignored team orders over the season, with this coming to a head when the pair made contact with each other and both retired during the Brazilian Grand Prix.

MORE: Ferrari launches its 2020 F1 car

Button believes, however, that things will be better for the duo in 2020 and that they can work together as a team to challenge Mercedes for the title.

"They had a few incidents in 2019, hopefully, this year that won't be the case. They are both very quick," Button told Sky Sports.

"I think last year they were both trying to find their position in the team. The new guy coming in, Charles Leclerc, and getting more pole positions than anyone, and Sebastian Vettel, the four-time world champion.

"Two very talented drivers and I think after that first year together now they can really work as a team and focus on fighting Mercedes, not just fighting each other."

Still a strong pairing despite no.1 driver challenges

Button also stated that he thinks both Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc are one of the strongest pairings in F1, despite their attempts to better each other throughout 2019.

Leclerc, in his debut season with the Ferrari team, managed two victories and more pole positions than any other drivers in 2019 with seven, while Vettel only managed one win and two pole positions over the whole season.

 "I think Sebastian now understands how quick his team-mate is and I think they'll have a much better relationship this year," Button commented.

"They obviously want to beat each other but I do think that pairing is very strong."

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • The thing Ferrari is missing here is that they leave it at "despite the two drivers trying to best one another". We've seen just how effective it can be with RB (Ric and Max), and we saw just how Merc' locked out the front when they had two strong drivers battling it out.

    • + 0
    • Feb 12 2020 - 17:58

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team McLaren
  • Points 37
  • Podiums 0
  • Grand Prix 41
  • Country United Kingdom
  • Date of b. Jan 19 1980 (44)
  • Place of b. Frome, Somerset, United Kingdom
  • Weight 72 kg
  • Length 1.82 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar