Leclerc aims to delete other people's expectations

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc is aiming to "erase and delete" other people's expectations of the driver following his switch to Scuderia for the upcoming 2019 season.

Following an impressive rookie season with Sauber (now Alfa Romeo Racing), Leclerc earned himself a call-up to Formula 1's biggest side.

Many have backed Leclerc to challenge his new team-mate, Sebastian Vettel, during his debut campaign with Ferrari - but the Monegasque youngster has played down any expectations laid upon him this term.

"I'm just focusing on myself, trying to erase and delete what everyone expects from me," Leclerc said. "Obviously any time you are driving a Ferrari the expectations are big because it's a top team and it's probably the most legendary Formula 1 team.

"Expectations are always high when you're driving for a team like this but at the end, I just need to focus on myself. Putting pressure on myself won't change anything, it won't make me perform better.

"If anything, it'll make me perform worse. So, yeah, I don't think at all about these things."

Leclerc continued to single out the significance of focusing on himself and not what other people are expecting of him.

"I'm not really focusing on the result at the moment. As I've said in the past - so long as I'm focusing on myself and trying to the best job possible in the car and out of the car, the results will come at some point, so I just need to focus on myself."