Charles Leclerc: “Jules Bianchi would have deserved a Ferrari seat more than I do”. Some believe the Monaco-born rookie, 20, is not ready to replace Kimi for now.

F1 2018’s outstanding rookie Charles Leclerc recently admitted that he would not turn down the opportunity to drive for Scuderia Ferrari in 2019. Some believe the Monaco-born rookie, 20, is not ready to replace Kimi Raikkonen at the famous Maranello team, but Charles Leclerc said:

“So far they haven’t told me anything. But ever since I was little I dreamed of driving for Ferrari. If an opportunity arises, I will never say no. So far I have not received the slightest indication that it will happen,” he added.

Leclerc also said at Hockenheim that he feels ready to shape up against Sebastian Vettel, a four-time world champion, as his team mate: “It would be a great challenge. At the same time, can you imagine how much I can learn and develop next to him?” he said. The Sauber driver said he is not worried about those who say Sebastian Vettel’s teammate will always be the ‘number 2’: “I have never driven for Ferrari so I don’t know if it’s really like that. I am not completely in agreement with that philosophy, but it’s something that is far from me. Like I said, what I have to do today is focus on my work at Sauber.”

Asked whether it would be a really great way to honour Jules, given he was so close to getting to Ferrari, Charles Leclerc replied: “Yeah, definitely. He will have probably deserved this place more than I do. If one day I have the chance to be there, I will try to do everything I possibly can to win the titles that he deserved to win. My father and his father were best friends, and our families are extremely close. I drove for the first time karting on his track, and he was there. Then I think we were meeting up every Wednesday and weekends just to drive rental karting. These are probably the best memories I have in racing. So much fun, and so much learned also. He was older than me, so you always push yourself to beat him. They are very good memories. But more than a mentor. He was also an extremely close friend, a bit like family.”

Ferrari as a brand, what has it meant to Charles growing up, when he was a kid, watching the Ferrari cars? – “It has always been special. But I believe not only for me, but for every driver. I think Ferrari has always been something special. I can’t really explain it to be honest. From a young age, I was always looking at the red car and cheering for the red car. It hasn’t changed since then. Obviously it would be a dream come true if one day I had the chance to drive for this team.”