Romain Grosjean says that he has been impressed by
Charles Leclerc’s first season in Formula One but has given a warning to the Monegasque that expectations of him will be much higher next season, especially if he ends up at
Ferrari.
Leclerc sits one place and eight points behind the experienced Grosjean in the 2018 drivers’ standings, despite being 12 years younger.
Leclerc has finished in the points on five occasions and regularly taken his Sauber car into Q2 and even Q3.
Grosjean on the other hand has had a difficult campaign by his standards, but 21 points in the last four races have softened the blow of failing to score in the first eight.
Grosjean is impressed by Leclerc’s form, saying: “I didn’t know much of him before F2 and obviously he has been really strong in F2 [and] he’s done amazing this season.”
However, Grosjean has said that the young Sauber driver may not find it so easy next year.
“To me, the second season is always harder than the first one - there is no expectation in the first one and then second season there is more expectation, especially if he ends up at Ferrari.
“But that would be interesting to see. As I say, he’s doing very, very good and Sauber in general is raising its game big time.”
Leclerc could be at Ferrari next season, with the future of Kimi Raikkonen still uncertain.