Leclerc: Senna is my inspiration

New Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc reveals that Ayrton Senna's influence to Formula One was the main reason he ever took a seat in a racing car.

Senna was regarded as perhaps the greatest F1 driver of its eternity and Leclerc has revealed the influence the "Monaco Master" had on him as a child.

Leclerc grew up in Monaco and Senna won the iconic street circuit race six times - which is still a record to this day.

The Monegasque driver will be spending his next season with Ferrari after an impressive rookie season with Sauber.

Leclerc insists that he hasn't idolised a specific driver in his journey to the big time, but has revealed the influence Senna had on his career.

"My father was a fan of Ayrton Senna and, since a child, he kind of gave me his hero," Leclerc explained to Mobil 1 The Grid. "He told me everything he achieved and I've been interested in his career, reading books and watching his movie.

"Senna was an inspiration but, at the moment, I don't really have any idols. At the age of 12, I changed my mind. At 12, I wanted to be someone, but then I realised that there are no two people the same, so I'm just trying to work on myself and be the best of myself."