Ocon: Leclerc will be a title contender in 2019

Charles Leclerc's move to Ferrari has so much anticipation and a hint of expectation riding on it. His friend, Esteban Ocon turns it up a notch and suggests Leclerc will be a title contender in his debut year at Ferrari.

"I think Charles will fight for the title next year for sure. At least it won't be a surprise for me," Ocon said in an interview on racefans.

Ocon, who will miss out on a race seat next season, digs out old memories to explain his point. It also adds in a bit of extra context ready for when Ocon moves into the Silver Arrow car in the near future.

"I know him pretty well. The first race we raced together was in 2005 mini-karts we were seven, eight years old. And we were first and second, and I was on the inside and we crashed in the last corner of the last lap so he didn’t finish and I finished like sixth or seventh," he added.

"That was the first time we met, and all our career we’ve been fighting like this together. I knew he had a very good talent from day one. He’s one of the quickest guys out there. I think he will show that next year, definitely.”

We're interested in what you think! Let us know in the pole if you agree or disagree with Ocon.