Charles Leclerc: Raikkonen’s replacement?

New Sauber recruit Charles Leclerc romped to the 2017 Formula 2 title. Alex Kalinauckas explains what he will bring to the F1 grid

Charles Leclerc is confident, yet humble. Excitable, yet focused. Riding the crest of a wave all the way to Formula 1. He spent much of 2017 building momentum in a sensational rookie Formula 2 campaign, while often being spotted playing football or tennis next to the paddock-parked trucks. In short, he’s a special and likeable talent. After claiming seven wins and eight poles on his way to the F2 crown, as well as making four FP1 appearances for Sauber last year, Leclerc was signed as a race driver

for the Swiss squad in 2018.

Leclerc has been backed by Ferrari since 2016; Sauber will run the Italian marque’s up-to-date F1 power units this year, while the team has a major new brand partnership with Alfa Romeo. So, just like his friend and mentor Jules Bianchi in ’13, Leclerc is Ferrari’s latest upcoming star preparing to take their F1 bow.

“It’s unbelievable, first of all,” he explains. “To arrive in F1 is crazy because it’s a dream come true, and then to arrive with the return of Alfa Romeo, which is such a historic name, is just great. Then, on the other side, I’m not putting additional pressure on myself – the goal for me will be exactly the same as the other years: give the best of myself and try to bring the best results possible home.”