Former champion says Charles Leclerc is "incredibly strong"

Former Ferrari driver and four time world champion Alain Prost is full of praise for Charles Leclerc, describing his first season with the Italian team as a "complete success". Leclerc impressed in just his second F1 season, winning two races and taking seven pole positions, more than anyone else.

The Monegasque even managed to outscore his far more experienced teammate Sebastian Vettel, leading to some people calling for him to be given number one status at Ferrari.

Prost told Auto Hebdo: "There is an unbelievable amount of pressure on the Ferrari drivers, and from this point of view his first stage in his career was a complete success.

"Charles has already proven himself. He can be considered the equivalent number 1 at Ferrari. It's incredibly strong to be able to ride Sebastian Vettel at eye level in the first year.

"It doesn't matter whether he is sometimes a little faster or slower, because Charles has shown considerable maturity and has proven several times that he can sometimes extend his elbows when necessary."