Felipe Massa has given his full support to Ferrari’s decision to promote Charles Leclerc into Kimi Raikkonen’s seat for 2019.
While the Scuderia isn’t known for taking risks on inexperienced drivers, the Brazilian was actually very similar to Leclerc in some ways having raced for Sauber for three years before teaming up alongside Michael Schumacher in 2006.
And though some are sceptical of the Monegasque’s rapid rise, Massa actually believes the 20-year-old is a unique case.
“They did well [to swap Raikkonen for Leclerc],” he told Italy’s Corriere della Sera. “Besides the huge talent he also has an incredible head on his shoulders, in my opinion, he is even more mature than Max Verstappen.
“I am convinced that one day he will be able to become world champion and together with Sebastian Vettel, they will push each other. Ferrari in 2019 will have a great driver pairing.”
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The former Williams driver, who retired at the end of last season but will race in Formula E in Season 5, also offered his reasoning why he thinks the Scuderia is likely to come up short in this year’s title fight.
“I thought Ferrari was in with a chance, on many occasions they proved to have the better car, but then Mercedes developed the car better,” he said.
“Earlier they managed to score more points thanks to Ferrari’s mistakes, like at Hockenheim and Monza, but now they have a technical advantage.
“They also stay calm despite the lead they have on the table. They put zero pressure on Hamilton whose last three or four races have been incredible, phenomenal qualifying. Difficult to see anyone at his level.”