Leclerc full of praise for Hamilton's "consistency and mental strength"

Charles Leclerc has picked out the traits he admires in five-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, highlighting his consistent ability to extract the maximum from his car.

Leclerc joined Ferrari from Sauber for this season, giving him the opportunity to battle with Hamilton at the top table of Formula 1. However, it hasn't quite panned out how many would have expected or how Leclerc would have liked.

The Monegasque has had mixed results this season, holding a season-high finish of second in Austria but he has also retired twice including at his home race. Hamilton, on the other hand, has been utterly dominant, winning eight of the 12 races this season and holds a significant lead over Valtteri Bottas in second in the Drivers' Championship.

Having competed against Hamilton for half a season now, Leclerc has identified what sets the Brit apart from the rest of the field.

"What would I take from Lewis? His consistency and his mental strength. And his ability to always know how to extract the maximum," Leclerc told Italian magazine Sette