Leclerc concedes that Vettel is ''stronger'' than him in race trim
The Ferrari driver talked about what he needs to improve on in 2020.
In an extensive interview at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham at the weekend, Leclerc admitted Vettel was ‘’stronger’’ than him in race trim during the 2019 season.
Races like China, Spain, Canada, Hungary and Russia last year show the Monegasque driver has work to do on a Sunday against a fiercely competitive team-mate in 2020.
"After the first three four races, I've seen that my weakness was more the qualifying than the race.
So, I focused quite a lot on the qualifying and did quite a big step from France onwards in qualifying, which was good to see.
And then in the race I think I've still got quite a bit of work to do. Seb has a big experience in the race and he's stronger than me at the moment. So, my work this winter is mostly on the race, to try and improve that."
Leclerc also explained how their collision at the Brazilian Grand Prix ‘’was a good lesson’’ for both drivers and that things are very different between them outside the car.
"I think we are mature enough to understand that whatever happens on track, obviously we are two competitors. We both want to win and it would be wrong if it will be the other way around.
So yeah, we want to win. We are extremely competitive and sometimes on track we might have some frictions, but at the end, we are mature enough to know that what's happened on track is on track and off track, we are different persons.
I think the most important [thing] is that we work well together, especially off track to try and develop the car in the best way possible. And, of course, not exceed the limits whenever we are on track, like we've seen in Brazil. But I think it was a good lesson for both of us and it won't happen again."