Irvine: Leclerc is much better than Verstappen

The pair have emerged as the future superstars of the sport, both highly rated and already the stage is set (remember Austria?) for a feud between Verstappen and Leclerc that should keep F1 fans entertained for years to come

Red Bull and Honda are combining their formidable might to supply the Dutchman with a winning package. So far he has rewarded them with seven victories and a pole position start in the past three years.

Leclerc has been groomed by Ferrari to be their main focus for the foreseeable future and already the Monegasque has delivered with two victories and six poles in his first season as a Red.

Irvine, who drove for Ferrari as Michael Schumacher's wingman two decades ago, stirred the pot when he told Formula Passion, "For me, there is no doubt that Leclerc is better than Verstappen. In fact, he is much, much better and he showed it with the four consecutive pole positions despite the fact that Ferrari wasn't the fastest.

"Verstappen still makes stupid mistakes after a few years in Formula 1. Unlike Leclerc, who has a much lower error rate and could have won more than two races in 2019."

The Irish veteran of 146 Grand Prix starts, added, "Charles's defence of Hamilton at Monza was something crazy, maybe not 100% regular, but incredible. Leclerc is very intelligent, very talented and a great worker. I clearly see more potential in him than in Verstappen."