Vettel urges Leclerc not to "waste" being "most talented driver in F1"

Departing Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel has declared Charles Leclerc the "most talented driver" in Formula 1 after the two ended their relationship as team-mates in Abu Dhabi.

Leclerc joined Vettel at Ferrari in 2019 as the replacement for Kimi Raikkonen and such has been the impression left on four-time champion Vettel by the Monégasque, he ranks the 23-year-old ahead of even Lewis Hamilton in terms of pure talent.

The pair swapped helmets after the Abu Dhabi season finale and Vettel wrote a touching tribute to his now-former team-mate.

He wrote: "To Charles, you are the most talented driver I came across in 15 years of F1. Don't waste it. But be sure whatever you do to be happy and smile.

"Thank you for everything!"

"To Charles, you are the most talented driver I came across in 15 years of F1. Don't waste it. But be sure whatever you do to be happy and smile. Thanks for everything!"

- Sebastian Vettel ❤️

📸 Morgan Caron / All Road Management pic.twitter.com/iX2LVkbhVz

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 14, 2020

Leclerc, who raced with a tribute helmet to Vettel in the season-ending race which was topped with a message of 'Danke Seb', responded on social media to thank the German for "pushing me to improve" across their two years together.

"I learnt so much from you as a person and as a driver in these last two years," wrote Leclerc.

"Thanks for pushing me to improve all the time, it’s been a honor to be your teammate, and I honestly wish you the very best.

"Top driver and a Top Man."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Charles Leclerc (@charles_leclerc)

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