Charles Leclerc says it's too early to dream about a future at Ferrari. The reigning Formula 2 champion is backed by Ferrari, and has been placed at the newly Alfa Romeo-sponsored Sauber team for his F1 debut in 2018.
But when asked if he is eyeing Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari seat for 2019, he told RMC: "Honestly, no. It's so big a dream that for now I can't imagine it as a reality. So I'm going to focus on 2018, which is very important for me. It's my first season and I have to prove myself," Leclerc added. "I do have very close ties with Ferrari, I'm one of their drivers so they're watching me, but I am not thinking about 2019."
However, the 20-year-old may actually be quite close to making his Ferrari debut, with Blick newspaper reporting that Leclerc is the Maranello team's 2018 reserve driver. "I have no idea if I'll get the Ferrari seat in an emergency," Leclerc insisted. "If they asked me it would be a dream come true, but for now I'm driving for Alfa-Sauber." (GMM)
Leclerc seemed very promising in F2, but very underwhelming in testing. But I we will have a good benchmark in Ericcson who is a mediocre driver. If Leclerc is to be taken seriously, he will have to fairly consistently beat Ericsson, even if he is just a rookie.
I expect Leclerc to outqualify Ericsson, but I would be amazed if Leclerc doesn't struggle at times during the year. Vandoorne and Giovinazzi both impressed in GP2 but have struggled in F1. The step up to F1 seems to be a very big one, with tyre management, fuel management, PU management etc. etc. while driving fast and lasting the entire race. That's why RBR but Gasly and Hartley in the car toward the end of the season, so they would get some mistakes out of the way before the start of 2018.
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Replies (4)
Login to replyf1dave
Posts: 782
He could drive for Ferrari when they quit F1 and move to a U.S. series like they are threatening to do. Win- win for everybody.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Leclerc seemed very promising in F2, but very underwhelming in testing. But I we will have a good benchmark in Ericcson who is a mediocre driver. If Leclerc is to be taken seriously, he will have to fairly consistently beat Ericsson, even if he is just a rookie.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
You take times from testing seriously? And even then: you take results from drivers racing a Sauber as show of true form?
Kean
Posts: 692
I expect Leclerc to outqualify Ericsson, but I would be amazed if Leclerc doesn't struggle at times during the year. Vandoorne and Giovinazzi both impressed in GP2 but have struggled in F1. The step up to F1 seems to be a very big one, with tyre management, fuel management, PU management etc. etc. while driving fast and lasting the entire race. That's why RBR but Gasly and Hartley in the car toward the end of the season, so they would get some mistakes out of the way before the start of 2018.