Charles Leclerc has gone from a nobody to a Ferrari star within just 12 months on the Formula 1 circuit. It's fair to say the man from Monaco has been fast-tracked through the ranks. But how does the 21-year-old manage such sudden changes?
The Ferrari driver impressed last season. He now gets to line-up with Sebastian Vettel and the effects of the performances in 2018 are already having a noticeable change on how Leclerc is being perceived.
“In my personal life last year in Monaco it was changing a little bit because obviously they see you as a Formula 1 driver and they know you a little bit,” Leclerc explained to RaceFans.
“But I have to say that now being a Ferrari driver it’s a bit different in that sense especially in Italy because obviously there’s the whole Italy behind Ferrari. So it feels good.”
Despite the sudden change, Leclerc claims the gap between the two stones is a shorter jump than he experienced following the 2017 season. He suggests he is already at "ease" with the Italian car.
“Already it’s a different position I’m in because obviously last year when I arrived in winter testing I was coming from Formula 2 so the step was big," Leclerc added.
“Now it’s from a Formula 1 car to another Formula 1 car so obviously the step is smaller. But I got used to it very, very quickly. I already feel quite at ease with the car. There’s still a lot of things that I need to get at ease with. But already the feeling is very good. It’s a car that is quite easy to drive.”
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