Leclerc: "Keeping Sauber secret was pretty difficult!"

  • Published on 06 Dec 2017 13:37
  • comments 3
  • By: Rob Veenstra

Charles Leclerc admits it was "difficult" to keep F1's worst kept secret in the second half of the 2017 season. Most F1 insiders suspected the Monaco-born 20-year-old would make his debut in 2018, and it was finally made public along with Sauber's Alfa Romeo deal a few days ago.

Asked how hard it was to keep it all secret, Leclerc admitted to Blick newspaper: "It was pretty difficult! Of course, I heard all of the rumours too, but it was also stressful because nothing was official. I really didn't know for sure until the last day of testing in Abu Dhabi," he said.

Sauber was F1's slowest team in 2017, but Ferrari junior driver Leclerc says he is confident for next year. "I'm really looking forward to the first race and also that I am involved in the return of Alfa Romeo. Everyone with a passion for F1 knows that Alfa has set some milestones in the sport," he said.

There is some debate about who the 'number 1' at Sauber will be next year: Leclerc with his Ferrari links, or Marcus Ericsson, who is closely tied to the team's owners. Asked about that, Leclerc said: "I will just focus on myself and my job. We get the new Ferrari engine, which will be a big step forward. Hopefully it's the same for the car. Then I hope we can play a role in the season." (GMM)

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • Savio

    Posts: 145

    This kid annoys me...he sucks

    • + 0
    • Dec 6 2017 - 23:48
    • perché?

      • + 0
      • Dec 7 2017 - 19:28
    • Savio

      Posts: 145

      Because he considers himself a great champion and he isn't self-critical at all. Another Vettel..

      • + 0
      • Dec 7 2017 - 20:34

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 1,430
  • Podiums 43
  • Grand Prix 149
  • Country MC
  • Date of b. Oct 16 1997 (27)
  • Place of b. Monte Carlo, MC
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar