Leclerc sets his sights high

– Charles Leclerc (above) is confident he can challenge for the Formula One title at Ferrari next year and believes he has the mental strength to cope with the pressure of driving for one of the sport’s most prestigious teams at such a young age.

The reigning Formula Two champion joined Sauber at the start of this season and after impressing in a modest car, the 20-year-old from Monaco discovered last week that he will partner quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari from 2019.

“Since I was a child, I dreamed of being a Formula One driver and now to be with Ferrari is above all my expectations,” Leclerc told reporters on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.

“I was always looking at the red car and to be in one of the two seats is incredible. It is strange as most people will probably think the move puts more pressure on my shoulders but I don’t feel that.

“I have the mentality to cope under pressure, I really focus on myself and don’t think about what people expect from me in the car. If I do the right job and work in the right way then the performances will be there.”

Vettel is embroiled in a tight title race with Lewis Hamilton and although the German sits 30 points behind his rival with seven races left, the Ferrari is generally regarded as a superior car to the Briton’s Mercedes. – Reuters