Leclerc keeps focus on Sauber ahead of Ferrari switch

While heading to Ferrari for 2019, Charles Leclerc wants to keep on improving with Sauber for the remainder of the season.

Published : Sep 27, 2018 22:47 IST

Sauber driver Charles Leclerc.
Sauber driver Charles Leclerc.
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Sauber driver Charles Leclerc.

Charles Leclerc insists that a strong finish to the Formula One season with Sauber is his only focus right now, despite already sealing a "dream" move to Ferrari.

The talented young French driver will join Ferrari for 2019 as a replacement for Kimi Raikkonen, who has agreed a two-year deal to move in the opposite direction.

Leclerc, who came through the Italian team's driver academy, will form a partnership with four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, though not before he has completed his debut F1 campaign with Sauber.

And, the 20-year-old is only thinking about the six remaining races with his current employers, starting with Sunday's Russian Grand Prix.

"It's still very far away. First of all I have to finish this season on a high which is for now the main importance to me," Leclerc told the media on Thursday.

READ: Ericsson exploring options despite staying on with Sauber

"There's still six races to go, so I will try first to focus on that. It's a dream come true to be racing for Ferrari next year, but I'm trying to take it out of my mind to focus fully on the end of this season."

"You can always improve. I still think that I can learn in everything. The target for the end of the season is to try to keep our form."

Leclerc has picked up 15 points in 2018, with a sixth place in Azerbaijan his best finish so far. He has yet to race in Sochi but is confident of building on his performance last time out in Singapore, where he overcame a tough start to finish ninth.

"It's a new track for me, but I have driven it in the simulator in the past so I am fairly familiar with its layout," Leclerc added.

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