Charles Leclerc says the step between Sauber and Ferrari is smaller than the one he had to undertake 12 months ago, when he joined Formula 1.
Leclerc last season graduated to Formula 1 with Sauber off the back of a title-winning Formula 2 campaign but struggled through the early phases of the campaign, before finding the form that convinced Ferrari to promote him for 2019.
Leclerc carried out two days of running in Ferrari’s SF90 at Barcelona last week and reckons the step between teams was not as large as the one he faced in early 2018.
“It’s a different position I am in because last year when I arrived in winter testing, I was coming from Formula 2, so the step was big,” he explained.
“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 quickly, so I already feel quite at ease with the car.
“There are already 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 now.”
Leclerc was also reluctant to discuss expectations for his first season in red, commenting: “I’m realistic, it’s only my second season in Formula 1.
“I have a lot to learn, and there is a long road ahead.
“But I can’t hide that I’m pushing to be as ready as possible for the first race, and if Mattia has the problem to manage two quick drivers, then it’s a good sign for me!
“But for now I’m just focusing on myself, trying to improve every lap I am doing in the car.
“It is a top team, and there are procedures that are quite different to the team I was in before. There is a bit of adaptation, but I will push to be as ready as possible for Australia.”
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