Source: Sauber F1 Team

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Ericsson calls Leclerc his toughest-to-beat teammate ever

Ericsson calls Leclerc his toughest-to-beat teammate ever

15-08-2018 16:44
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Nicolás Quarles van Ufford

Sauber driver Marcus Ericsson has called his rookie teammate Charles Leclerc his toughest-ever teammate in F1, as the Monegasque has taken the sport by sport since making his debut in Australia this season.

Leclerc has had an incredible five points finishes after twelve races and he's been in Q3 on three occasions. In a Sauber, that takes some doing.

That's why Leclerc has already been linked to a Ferrari seat next season, with rumours of Kimi Raikkonen retiring getting louder. 

Ericsson did beat Leclerc in the first three qualifying sessions as the 20-year-old was still finding his feet, but since that, it's been 9-0 for the Monegasque.

“It started off very well. The first three weekends I was ahead of him, which was good and then he’s been doing very good,” Ericsson said in an interview with Crash.net.

“He’s done very well, especially on Saturday’s, he’s been very impressive but I think on Sunday’s we’ve been very similar.

“It’s just been in qualifying where he’s had the upper hand.

"I feel like I’ve done a good job compared to him and that’s been good to show my skill like a driver like him because there is no question, he is a super talented driver.

“Everyone sees him as a future world champion.

"So for me to go up against him and to perform, it’s been good."

Then, Ericsson was asked if Leclerc is indeed the hardest-to-beat teammate he's ever had in F1, and his reply was short and sweet: "Yes."

However, this doesn't mean that the two don't get along well.

“Me and Charles get along really well, so we can talk about things and discuss things, so that's been really good."