Source: Sauber F1 Media

F1 News

Leclerc will find big pressure at Ferrari - Vasseur

Leclerc will find big pressure at Ferrari - Vasseur

04-11-2018 18:20
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Jake Williams-Smith

Sauber team principal Fred Vasseur says that Charles Leclerc will be under huge pressure immediately at Ferrari. The current Sauber driver will move to the Scuderia to replace Kimi Raikkonen, who will rejoin Sauber in place of Leclerc.

Leclerc's move to Ferrari at such a young age has drawn comparisons from some between the Monegasque driver and Lewis Hamilton when the Briton joined McLaren in 2007 as his first F1 team. Vasseur however doesn't buy that point of view.

“I don’t compare Charles today with people such as Lewis,” Vasseur said.

“First of all, Lewis was more than ten years ago, and he drove for McLaren, and they were a title contender, so there was a big aspect of differences at the same stage, with Lewis.

“When Charles joined us, we were at the back of the grid, so Charles’ approach was a completely different one.

“It was much easier to start with Sauber, I think. He struggled a little bit on his first appearance, with so little testing. But step by step, the pace was quite fast and he improved a lot in his management skills.”

Leclerc will be up against Sebastian Vettel, the four-time champion may not have had the best 2018 season but his experience and familiarity with the team will have to be something that Leclerc will have to overcome.