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New Sauber driver Charles Leclerc says that having an up-to-date Ferrari engine in the back of the car will provide big gains for the Swiss team. Last season, Sauber ran with 2016 spec Ferrari power units, which hampered their progress as the season went on.
Having originally signed a deal with Honda for 2018, the team backtracked after Frederic Vasseur became team principal, who slashed the contract before signing a multi-year deal with Ferrari. Leclerc, who will be making his Formula 1 debut in Australia in March, believes that it will be a massive benefit to the team.
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"Having the new 2018-spec Ferrari engine in place will be a big boost for the team," the 20-year-old Monegasque driver said. "The newly formed partnership with Alfa Romeo is also exciting news.
"As for my personal expectations -- my primary goal is to continue developing my skills as a driver, and to gain as much experience in Formula 1 as I can. In terms of my expectations and goals, I will work hard to support the team in developing the car during the season, so that we are able to obtain the best possible results in the 2018 season."
Leclerc will also run with the number 16 for the duration of his career but admits it wasn't his first choice: "My favourite number is 7. Unfortunately, that number is already taken. I was born on the 16th of October, so the number 16 is significant to me. Plus, if you add 1 and 6, you get 7 - that's a good compromise!"
Fergal Walsh
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
C. Sainz jr
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I dont doubt that. What makes me doubt your competitiveness though is the fact that we've seen what you could do with an up to date Ferrari unit for several years now, and well... "Sterdust is not impressed. Sterdust is left wanting."