Charles Leclerc makes huge statement in French qualifying

Rumours that Charles Leclerc will replace Kimi Raikkonen at the end of 2018 have gone up a notch.  He out-performed his team-mate Marcus Ericsson by seven places and will start today’s Grand Prix from 8th. 

Leclerc, 20, is a member of Ferrari’s driver academy and is putting some great performances in whilst driving for Sauber. 

“I cannot find words,” Leclerc told Sky Italia. 

“It was like starting from scratch because we totally changed the car. I knew what I wanted, and the engineers understood what I needed. I cannot believe this eighth place, it’s magical.” 

If he is to move to Ferrari, his team-mate will be Sebastian Vettel. He went on to suggest how influential Vettel has been to his career, similar to how Vettel was inspired by Michael Schumacher. 

He was asked about the rumours and he said: “I am focused only on now, but I am inspired by Sebastian.”