New engine a 'big boost' for Sauber - Leclerc
New engine a 'big boost' for Sauber - Leclerc
New Sauber driver and current Formula 2 champion Charles Leclerc has insisted that his team have received a 'big boost' ahead of the new season due to them ditching their older engine in favour of a modern Ferrari model branded by Alfa Romeo.
Leclerc won F2 last season and was quickly recruited by Sauber, who will now be named Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team. In the upcoming campaign he will partner Marcus Ericsson.
The Monegasque driver is excited about what the new engine could mean for Sauber.
“Having the new 2018-spec Ferrari engine in place will be a big boost for the team,” he said.
“The newly formed partnership with Alfa Romeo is also exciting news.”
Leclerc has already tested with Ferrari engines, and he believes this will make the transition easier.
“From the first moment on, all of the team members were very welcoming and helpful, and made me feel comfortable.
“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.”
The 20-year-old was hoping to claim the number seven for the upcoming F1 season, but it is already in use by Kimi Raikkonen. Leclerc has found a compromise, however.
“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.”
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Red Bull announce strong statement over Newey departure claims
- 9 minutes ago
Verstappen 'to meet Mercedes over SHOCK 2025 move as Red Bull exit clause revealed'
- 1 hour ago
F1 champion reveals £100 MILLION contract to keep racing
- 2 hours ago
F1 News Today: Newey 'property hunt' reveals Red Bull exit clues as Hamilton hints at Ferrari swoop
- 2 hours ago
Sky Sports F1 pundit calls for RADICAL change with impressive argument
- 3 hours ago
- 1
Newey TURNED DOWN F1 rivals before Red Bull decision
- Today 15:56
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860