FERRARI’S NEW WHIZ-KID OFF AND RUNNING

FERRARI newcomer Charles Leclerc continued the famous team’s dominant start to Formula One testing to reinforce teammate Sebastian Vettel’s claim that he will be a “full rival” this year.

The Monaco young gun kept Ferrari at the top of the timesheets on the second day of pre-season testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya the day after Vettel’s impressive start to the team’s 2019 campaign.

In his first run for the team, Leclerc not only clocked the fastest time for the day, but like Vettel, also churned through a marathon program — 157 laps — more than any other driver.

The 21-year-old is rated as one of the hottest young prospects on the Formula One grid, earning his seat at Ferrari after shining in his rookie F1 season for Sauber last year. Vettel said he expected Leclerc to be a “full rival” as a teammate in his first season with the Scuderia this year.

“I think he is in the seat for a reason. I have got to take it very serious,’’ Vettel said. “I am very certain he will be quick enough and put me under pressure so we will see how it goes.’’

Leclerc admitted to some emotion getting behind the wheel of the Ferrari for the first time.

“There’s always going to be some [emotion] when you get into a Ferrari, but today I put that to one side because I had a job to do for the team,’’ Leclerc said. “Let’s hope we keep going like this.”