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 03:54

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 03:54

World Championship standings 2025

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 - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
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 (45)
  • Place of b. Frome, Somerset, United Kingdom
  • Weight 72 kg
  • Length 1.82 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar