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Villeneuve believes Ferrari move could destroy Leclerc

Villeneuve believes Ferrari move could destroy Leclerc

16-08-2018 08:18
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Bobby Vincent

If Ferrari sign Sauber driver Charles Leclerc, it could "destroy" him, according to Jacques Villeneuve.

Sauber driver Charles Leclerc's start to Formula One has been impressive and the 20-year-old has been tipped to join Sebastian Vettel and replace Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari next season.

Ferrari would certainly be taking a gamble if they did sign the Sauber rookie driver, especially considering their past with signing experienced drivers.

Former F1 driver Jacques Villeneuve warns the F1 world that the move could end in tears.

 "Of course, look at the work he's been doing,"  the outspoken Canadian told F1's 'Beyond The Grid' podcast.

 "He's third in the championship, he's often quicker than Vettel, when he's not he's what, a tenth behind? He's paramount in the development of the car.

"The whole team works fantastically well now, put a young cub next to Vettel; what will Vettel do? He'll try to eat him alive.

"And either he will destroy the young cub, or it'll end in tears and the whole team will end up going slower within two years, so that's not constructive."

Villeneuve believes that Leclerc should spend more time at Sauber or even Haas, Ferrari's two junior teams, before making the step-up to the big time.