Emotions were running high for Charles Leclerc at his first Ferrari launch as a race driver on Friday.
Anticipation is high for what the Monegasque can bring to the Scuderia in 2019, having impressed everyone with a strong rookie season at Sauber.
However, now he faces the prospect of racing for Formula 1’s most historic team up against the very best drivers on the grid including his new teammate Sebastian Vettel.
“Nervous? [I’m] not,” he said at Maranello of what’s to come. “I think it’s more of an opportunity for me to be next to Sebastian, who is such a champion and I can definitely learn a lot from him.
“I’m pretty sure it will be an amazing season,” Leclerc added. “The key will be to work altogether but I’m sure we’ll make it.”
Also Read:
- Raikkonen expects a ‘smooth’ transition for Leclerc to Ferrari
- Leclerc can rise against a ‘broken’ Vettel at Ferrari
For the 21-year-old it is the culmination of three remarkable years that saw him win both GP3 and F2 at the first attempt before scoring 39 points at Sauber with a best of sixth in Azerbaijan.
“I’m extremely excited to start this new adventure, obviously it has been a dream since childhood,” Leclerc continued.
“I’m always looking at the red car, hoping to one day be in it. It is a very emotional day for me.
“I’ve been part of the Ferrari Academy for some years now which has helped me massively to develop as a driver with the final goal of one day having this seat.
“Now it is happening so it is a very proud day for me today and I’m extremely excited to start this new adventure.”
