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Between 2017 and 2018, the Formula 1 grid remained unusually static, as most drivers opted to stick rather than twist their team. However, that didn't transition into 2019, as only Haas and Mercedes will field the same two pilots as in the previous year.
What is probably the most interesting - and arguably the fastest - driver pairing is that at Ferrari, as academy driver Charles Leclerc has been promoted to partner Sebastian Vettel. Leclerc had one of the most impressive debut seasons in the sport's history in 2018, and is already being touted as a future world champion.
The man from Monaco has a lot to prove, but so does Vettel; the German still without a title in what is now his fifth season in red. This could well be the closest teammate battle in F1 this year, and here's why.
#1 All the Pressure is on Vettel
We all know how debilitating pressure and stress can be on our performance, be it in our personal or professional lives. After earning a dream move to Ferrari in 2015, Vettel is yet to follow in his hero's - Michael Schumacher - footsteps, as the Scuderia are still without a championship of any kind in over a decade.
Admittedly, that's not through the lack of trying, as Vettel has challenged Lewis Hamilton's supremacy in the first half of both the 2017 and '18 seasons, but collapsed in the second half twice.
No matter how strong you are mentally, that has to take a toll; even if Seb is ahead in the driver's championship going into the Summer break, he will be looking nervously over his shoulder at the competition.
You could argue that was what contributed to his collapse last year - had he stayed on the track in Hockenheim, we could've had a different five-time champion come Abu Dhabi.
#2 Leclerc is Still Very Young
It's hard to believe that Leclerc earned his promotion to Ferrari after just one full season of Grand Prix racing, but that's exactly the case. The Monegasque driver has competed in 21 F1 races, and is only 21 years old, but has shown excellent maturity so far.
He appears to be comfortable with both the media and his car, and quietly plies his trade, just like a certain Vettel did in his first years in the sport. In fact, Leclerc is one of the youngest men in a full-time driver's role in 2019, despite several rookies joining. Only Lando Norris and George Russell are younger on the grid.
Why am I pointing out Leclerc's age so much? Because it's important to how he's going to approach this year. Vettel is 31, hardly old, but he's been in the sport for over a decade now, and if Leclerc outperforms him, he could conceivably be given the boot at Ferrari.
The reverse isn't true for Charles, he's not expected to beat Vettel, nor win the driver's championship, so as stated previously, he doesn't have the same load on his shoulders.
#3 Charles has Nerves of Steel
Attitude does play a role in how a sportsman performs; psychology is an important element in Motorsport, even if you can't see your opponent's face in the cockpit. Despite 2018 being his only season of F1 so far, Charles didn't appear to be daunted by the challenge awaiting him.
Just like when the likes of Max Verstappen, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton first joined Formula 1, Leclerc appears to be absolutely unflappable. It's not in a cold way either, he clearly cares about his colleagues, but despite his friendly persona, you can tell he's a fierce competitor when the visor is down.
Admittedly, Leclerc hasn't been involved in a controversial incident, but that has been down to his excellent and consistent driving, I can't recall an on-track incident he was heavily involved in (apart from the horror-crash in Belgium, but that wasn't his fault).
Yes, Vettel has shown these good mental qualities in recent seasons, but when the pressure's on, he's cracked, possibly because the level of expectation is much higher at Ferrari than Red Bull.
#4 Leclerc's Junior Career is Ominous
Obviously, performance in one's junior career does not always translate into their level of speed in Formula 1 (just ask Stoffel Vandoorne). However, the pace at which Leclerc has ascended the ladder of the feeder series is very impressive.
It's incredible to think that when Vettel was celebrating his fourth driver's title in a row in 2013, Charles was still racing in karts and would first drive in single-seaters the following year. He gained widespread attention for his championship wins in GP3 and F2 in consecutive years in 2016 and 2017, respectively, and was a cut above the rest in both series.
Most drivers take at least a year to adapt to GP2/F2, but Leclerc hit the ground running, just like he did in Formula 1.
Yes, the quality of drivers in the junior series' isn't as high as F1, but, in some ways, those championship wins were very impressive, as cars in Formula 2 are all equal in terms of performance, something that isn't the case in F1.
Now that Leclerc will be piloting what will likely be one of, if not the, fastest car on the grid in 2019, he's in a great position to at least win a few races.
#5 Both are Extremely Quick
Some of the criticism that Vettel has had to endure during the previous two years has been warranted, especially in 2018, as Ferrari arguably had the fastest car overall through the season.
However, Seb is a four-time world champion, and already one of the most successful men in F1's history, with 52 wins (3rd overall) and over 100 podiums. He's always there or thereabouts, and while he hasn't managed to beat Hamilton in the V6-turbo era, the fact remains that he's consistently Lewis' closest challenger.
Vettel is one of the best managers of a race I've ever seen, when he gets out in front, it's very rare that the German doesn't pick up the winner's trophy once the chequered flag falls. This brought him so much success at Red Bull, as once he broke the DRS gap to the man in second, Seb was untouchable.
We saw shades of this from Leclerc during his junior career. I honestly believe that in terms of both race and one-lap pace, it'll be very close between the pair over the course of the year. Given how Vettel has reacted to challengers like this in the past (remember Ricciardo in 2014?) it could turn very spicy.
Who do you think will come out on top throughout the season? Vettel or Leclerc? Let us know in the comments below!
For another battle that could be close in 2019, check out our Ricciardo v Hulkenberg preview!
