Vasseur: 'When drivers get their first big cheque, they hit trouble'

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Sauber boss Fred Vasseur believes Charles Leclerc's potential move to Ferrari next season is not without risk for the young Monegasque.

A man who groomed the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg during their formative years in motorsport, Vasseur is among the best talent-spotters in the business.

This year, the French team manager has used his expertise and nurturing ability to support Leclerc, F1's 20-year-old rising star who could be on the verge of a big promotion to Ferrari.

However, while he has no doubts the mercurial rookie will enjoy a sensational career in Grand Prix racing, Vasseur warns against the risks of a premature step up to the Scuderia.

"Moving from Sauber to Ferrari is a big step," the Frenchman told Belgium's La Derniere Heure.

"We cannot predict what will happen, especially when it comes to drivers getting some money."

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Indeed, a promotion for Leclerc would likely entail a massive boost of his revenue, with pundits suggesting the financial windfall if he joined Ferrari could be worth as much as $5 million, although that number is likely heavily inflated.

Still, even a retainer worth one fourth of that amount can induce change for a driver on a personal level.

"In the last 20 years, there have been plenty of drivers who did very good first seasons in F1," explains Vasseur.

"I will not give names, but as soon as they touched their first cheque, they had trouble.

©Sauber

"They lost their roots because they discovered new things in life and lost a little bit of what they were doing.

"So we cannot anticipate," he added, insisting that Ferrari itself is well aware of the problems that can emerge for a driver who reaches a high pay grade overnight.

"That's why Ferrari is a big leap for Charles," added Vasseur.

"And it's why Ferrari has always hesitated to take very young drivers. They know very well the pressure that is in their system. But I'm not too worried about Charles."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.