Charles Leclerc doubts Formula 1 teammate Sebastian Vettel will be destabilised by his expiring Ferrari contract through 2020, expecting the German to be “very strong”.

Leclerc managed to beat Vettel in their first season together at Ferrari in 2019, scoring his first two F1 victories in Belgium and Italy en route to fourth place in the drivers’ championship.

The 22-year-old was rewarded for his good form with a new long-term contract that will keep him at Ferrari until the end of 2024.

Leclerc ended the year ahead of Vettel in the points standings, and was rewarded with a new long-term contract keeping him at Ferrari until the end of 2024.

Four-time world champion Vettel is now in the final year of his contract, but Leclerc does not think the uncertainty over the German’s future will have any bearing on his form.

“I feel very lucky to be in a position where I have a long-term contract, and I’m happy to be in this position,” Leclerc said.

“I also know his position in a way, as my last two years I only had a one year contract.

“I don’t think it will destabilise him so much. He’s a very strong driver, and I expect him to be very strong anyway.”