Raikkonen: Leclerc must avoid Ferrari 'hassle'

Raikkonen: Leclerc must avoid Ferrari 'hassle'

Originally written by Joas van Wingerden. This version is a translation.

Thursday 14 February 2019 15:05

Kimi Raikkonen has backed Charles Leclerc to hit the ground running at Ferrari, provided he can avoid the added "hassle" that comes with driving for the Scuderia. Leclerc and Raikkonen have effectively swapped jobs for 2019, with the Finn departing for the team now known as Alfa Romeo.

Leclerc's performances for Sauber in his rookie year were enough to convince Ferrari to promote their junior driver, who will become the team's second youngest F1 driver in history when he begins the season in Australia.

Article continues under video

Raikkonen is famously impervious to many of the distractions that surround F1, and Ferrari in particular, and the Iceman says a similar approach will serve Leclerc well.

"He knows the team, because he's been with Ferrari for quite a few years now, so you know, it's not like he is going in a new place," Raikkonen told Motorsport.com. "And he has experience from F1.

"You know, it is a special place to be. It's a bit of hassle at certain times, but that's how it's always been, and it's easier not to get involved in too many things and just do what he is hired to do.

"Often we are used to things being done [in a certain way], but in Ferrari sometimes it is a bit [different].

"If that doesn't disturb you, it's good. Don't get involved and then just do what they ask you.

"And because he knows the people, you know, he worked with them, so it should be quite easy and smooth."

MORE: Verstappen: Leclerc and I are F1's new Hamilton and Vettel
VIDEO: Raikkonen drives Alfa Romeo for first time