Having first been recruited to the Red Bull Junior Team in 1998, aged 11, Sebastian Vettel subsequently graduated to the full Red Bull Driver Programme in 2001.

Though making his mark in the German BMW Formula series - winning 18 of 2004's 20 races - and subsequently making his F1 debut with BMW Sauber, when he replaced Robert Kubica in the 2007 United States Grand Prix, it was under the guidance of Helmut Marko that he truly began to flourish, first with Toro Rosso, just weeks after his F1 debut, then four successive titles with Red Bull.

At the end of a difficult season for the German, and amidst constant speculation over his future, Marko has admitted that Vettel is not racing at his best at present, but warns that the German should not be written-off.

"Unfortunately, I have to say that he is no longer among the best," the Austrian told Motorsport-Total.

"He was spoiled by Red Bull because we always spoke honestly with one another," he added. "Ferrari is known for politics within the team, and maybe Sebastian is a bit too honest.

"Perhaps, also, it came as a surprise to him how fast Leclerc is," he admitted. "But don't write him off just yet."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by 4-Wheel Drifter, 15/01/2020 19:00

"Le Clerc is a gifted driver and I have had to eat my words about Ferrari dropping Kimi & choosing him over Hulkenberg or Ricciardo. At the time I figured it was a corporate decision: they could save Kimi's salary and not have had to pay Le Clerc a winner's salary for another thre or four years while trying to get the Ferrari competitive again. Everyone is looking good now. They're saying the red car will really challenge the Mercs next year and it's the last year they have to pay Seb a competitive salary unless he beats the kid AND Lewis.

What I'm hoping is that Max beats them all! "

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2. Posted by Lakota, 18/12/2019 19:22

"Sorry. But Leclerc is living in Sebs head. Rent free "

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Don't write-off Vettel, warns Marko

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