Charles Leclerc says he is "doing everything" he can to realise his ambition of racing for Ferrari in Formula 1, admitting it would be a "dream" come true.
The Monégasque driver is currently dominating the Formula 2 series, securing a record-equalling run of six-consecutive pole positions with five wins, giving him a 50-point advantage at the head of the standings.
With Leclerc backed by Ferrari's Driver Academy, he got his first taste of a 2017 car at the recent Hungary test in which he topped the times for the Italian squad, but says the extra media attention hasn't added to the pressure of winning his maiden F2 title in his rookie season.
"Seeing my name in the media more often and having it linked to Formula 1 and Ferrari is nice, but it’s not putting any extra pressure on me," the 19-year-old told the official Formula 1 website.
"I am focusing on what I have to do with [F2 team] Prema, leaving others to think about my future."
However in the back of his mind, he is pushing to impress and insists he is doing all he can to secure an F1 seat, with rumours he will be slotted in at Sauber next year, now that the Swiss team is continuing its engine deal with Ferrari.
"There’s never a day goes by when I don’t think about what I want to achieve and I always give 100 per cent to get there. Being in Formula 1 is my dream and my goal and I am doing everything I can to make it happen.
"Racing for the Scuderia would be the realisation of a dream. But for now I have to focus solely on winning in F2, on giving it my all over the next few months. If I don’t succeed then I won’t really go much further."
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