Leclerc 'effectively the team leader' at Ferrari - Brundle

Former F1 driver and Sky F1 commentator  Martin Brundle says Charles Leclerc has now "effectively" overhauled Sebastian Vettel as the team leader of Scuderia Ferrari.

After coming close to race wins in Bahrain and Austria, Leclerc finally secured his maiden win last weekend at Spa after a commanding performance that left Lewis Hamilton chasing and teammate Sebastian Vettel trailing by a country mile.

Brundle praised the Monegasque for his outstanding first triumph achieved with a heavy heart following the tragic passing the day before of childhood friend Anthoine Hubert.

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"His pole position lap was silky smooth, his start and restarts perfect, and tyre management improved," wrote Brundle in his post-race column for Sky Sports.

"And in the closing stages with the ever-relentless Lewis Hamilton chasing him down he didn't falter.

"We've seen Leclerc drive at international level in adversity several times now after the death of his father and close friends Jules Bianchi and Anthoine Hubert.

"On Sunday he did so, while carrying the mighty Ferrari team on his shoulders, and all at the age of 21."

Brundle believes the baton at Ferrari has been unintentionally passed on by Vettel.

"I knew he was going to be good, but not this good," added the Briton.

"He's effectively already the team leader as Sebastian Vettel struggles to match his speed and control, and he's still improving fast.

"It's difficult times for Seb, and with the events of the weekend and taking a look at himself and his own life and achievements, he must be mulling over all options."

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