Reports in Italy are suggesting Ferrari is seriously considering replacing Kimi Raikkonen with Charles Leclerc for the 2019 Formula 1 season.
The Monegasque has enjoyed a strong run of results recently, following a steady initial start to his career at Sauber, making Q2 in his last four races and converting three of those into points results on the Sunday.
He arrived on the grid already as one of the hottest prospects after a rapid rise through GP3 and F2, dominating the latter last season with Prema and has always been expected to be a future Ferrari driver as he is currently their leading academy member.
Historically, the Scuderia has been cautious to promote their young talent, with Felipe Massa the last to make the jump from Sauber back in 2006, but such is Leclerc’s promise even at this early stage Maranello bosses are keen to take the risk.
The 20-year-old himself has always played down the prospect of a rapid rise to the Italian team, telling Autosport in Canada: “It only makes me smile, but on the other hand it doesn’t feel realistic for now.
“When it will be time to think about next year I will think about it, and hopefully we have an opportunity to take that seat.”
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The result of his arrival would be Raikkonen likely calling time on his F1 career, with results failing to match the pace he has shown on occasions this season and some questioning if he is doing enough even in a number two role to Sebastian Vettel.
With just a single pole and no victories to his name since returning to the team in 2014, many do believe the Finn has passed his peak at 38 years old.
Motorsport.it also suggests Ferrari have opted against signing Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo because of the huge salary cost they would incur for taking on the Australian alongside the four-time world champion, a figure they believe would be around 50 million Euros.
This follows the claims of Helmut Marko that McLaren is offering big money to Ricciardo, who is out of contract at the end of this year.