Charles Leclerc happy to keep Vettel as a team-mate: 'We've always had a good relationship'

“It was good, even though we had a few problems on track, like in Brazil, or things like this,” said the 22-year-old Monégasque.

“I’m very happy with Seb. It has always been a good relationship, even though from the outside it was probably not seen as such. But it’s always been good between us.”

The current racing hiatus has meant that we have been waiting to see whether the drivers can maintain a more civilised union this year, in particular, should Vettel’s contract be extended.

Vettel revealed last week there was a possibility, with talks commencing over a new deal, he could sign prior to the first race of whenever the new season starts. On the other hand, there has since been speculation he has only been offered a one-year contract on significantly reduced terms.

Whatever the outcome, Leclerc insists he would have no qualms with Vettel continuing as his team-mate.

“I’ll be happy to keep him but I’ll respect Ferrari’s decision for whoever is next to me, and at the end, it’s my job to adapt to the person next to me, and always learn from whoever is your team-mate.

“I will welcome anybody but if Seb stays I will definitely be happy.”

Without any on-track racing at present, Leclerc is first eager to clash with Vettel again in the virtual world.

After turning to sim racing during the lockdown period, Leclerc has proven a dab hand, winning both Virtual F1 Grands Prix around Melbourne’s Albert Park and the Shanghai International Circuit, beating the likes of Red Bull’s Alex Albon and Williams pair George Russell and Nicolas Latifi.

He and other drivers also organised a charity esports series that raised funds for COVID-19 relief efforts.

Now Leclerc cannot wait for Vettel to get up to speed on a simulator he took possession of last week.

“I’m not racing against Seb yet but I will definitely send him a text very soon when he has finished his installation, to try and race against him a little bit, which will be fun,” said Leclerc.

Leclerc hopes he can continue to entertain the fans, to put a smile on their faces, as that was his aim when he opted to take up esports, in conjunction with streaming on Twitch, which he claims has offered insight to all as to his true self.

“I see how my mom and my brothers are here in Monaco, and also speaking with all of my friends,” said Leclerc.

“It’s just time for people being at home who don’t have much to do, so to be able to race in a different way and to see people smile, I’ve had a lot of positive reactions to what I have been doing on Twitch with all the other F1 drivers.

“I’ve had people saying it has helped them get through these tough times, and made them laugh, and that cheered me up massively. I was very happy to see that.

“It has helped me get closer to the people who have been supporting me, and that they can see me in a more natural way. It’s the closest you can get to the real me.

“At a Formula 1 track, it’s different. There’s a pressure, things like this, so to be yourself is a bit different.

“But on Twitch, playing with the other drivers, friends, we have all known each other for quite a long time, with Lando [Norris], George, Alex, so we can be ourselves, and I have enjoyed it a lot more than I thought.

“All of this has made me push to continue with this.”

Leclerc’s days at present are divided up between primarily training and practising on the sim, which he says also helps sharpen his reflexes.

Behind the scenes, he is attempting to cook, which he says he is “so very bad at”, so he is rustling up nothing more exotic than pasta and chicken at present.

Leclerc is also trying to learn piano and guitar, as well as reading a few books on the history of Ferrari.

Like any F1 driver, though, Leclerc cannot wait to return to real-world racing, and getting back behind the wheel of his SF1000.

As to when that day arrives, and as to how many races will be included in the championship, remains a mystery at present.

When the cars do fire up again, Leclerc is acutely aware of Ferrari’s place following what was a poor showing in pre-season testing by their incredibly high standards.