Sauber’s new driver Charles Leclerc expects the team to take a big step forwards as it switched from using year-old to current-spec Ferrari power units in 2018.
The team’s engines will be branded by Alfa Romeo as part of a new sponsorship deal.
Leclerc has experience of both the 2016 and 2017 Ferrari power units following his outings for Sauber and Ferrari last year.
The test runs also helped Leclerc familiarise himself with his new team. “From the first moment on, all of the team members were very welcoming and helpful, and made me feel comfortable,” he said.”
“I have already worked with some of the Ferrari engineers in the past, and I know Frederic Vasseur from my time in GP3, when I drove for his team, ART Grand Prix. We have always had a very good relationship and I look forward to building on this next year.”
Leclerc had hoped to choose seven as his race number for the season but it is already in use by Kimi Raikkonen.
“My favourite number is seven,” he said. “Unfortunately, that number is already taken.”
“I was born on the 16th of October, so the number 16 is significant to me. Plus, if you add 1 and 6, you get 7 – that’s a good compromise.”
2018 F1 season
- McLaren staff told us we were “totally crazy” to take Honda engines in 2018 – Tost
- ‘It doesn’t matter if we start last’: How Red Bull’s junior team aided Honda’s leap forward
- Honda’s jet division helped F1 engineers solve power unit problem
- McLaren Racing losses rise after Honda split
- Ricciardo: Baku “s***show” was Red Bull’s fault
Bradley Downton (@bradley13)
18th January 2018, 11:17
Out of interest, do we know if he’ll be allowed to change his number once Raikkonen retires?
Joao (@johnmilk)
18th January 2018, 11:48
@bradley13 no, drivers can only change number in one occasion, if they become champions they are allowed to run with the number 1 for the time they are reigning champions, if they aren’t they have to race with their “original” number again
the number that they choose will follow them for their entire career. Numbers that are available again because the drivers using them retired, can be chosen again only by new entrants.
Billys (@bilarxos)
18th January 2018, 18:09
No he can’t change the number and let’s say Kimi had retire for 2018 i believe nobody can choose his number for 3 years time even the newcomers in a case of Kimi’s return.
Ashwin (@redbullf1)
18th January 2018, 18:38
Looks like I will be forced to be a fan cause I’m a 16th November.
spoutnik (@spoutnik)
18th January 2018, 12:02
I’m really curious about Sauber next year. The team has struggled for so long I can’t remember their last stand-out performance. With Vasseur, Leclerc and latest engine it’s like a new team. They will probably at least exchange their last place with Torro Rosso. Can’t wait for Melbourne!
spoutnik (@spoutnik)
18th January 2018, 12:05
Perez in Malaysia in 2012?
GeeMac (@geemac)
18th January 2018, 12:24
Nasr Australia 2015? Wehrlein Spain 2017?
Colin (@theniloc)
18th January 2018, 14:59
Hulkenburg in Korea 2013?
Johnnie Röös
19th January 2018, 1:06
Ericsson at Mexico 2016, No points but Great drive
Adrian Hancox (@ahxshades)
18th January 2018, 12:25
Good Grief he looks depressed already !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paat
18th January 2018, 14:19
I came here to say that and yes!!!
Ashwin (@redbullf1)
18th January 2018, 18:39
Haha yes
Todfod (@todfod)
19th January 2018, 6:03
Hahaha +1. Doesn’t seem like the opportunity of a lifetime face for sure.