Ferrari offer Leclerc two-year deal - report

Ferrari have offered Charles Leclerc a two-year deal to replace Kimi Raikkonen, according to a report in La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Scuderia junior driver has made an impressive start to life in Formula 1, having won the Formula 2 title in 2017.

Leclerc has scored points in four of his last five races, enough to pull level with Sauber team-mate Marcus Ericsson's career points tally in 76 fewer grands prix.

A string of spectacular F2 victories have been followed up by some mature performances beyond his tender age at the highest level.

According to La Gazzetta, Leclerc will be paid €5million over two years.

Ferrari have Sebastian Vettel contracted until 2020 and although the German has talked up his partnership with Raikkonen, it appears the Finn's inability to deliver strong results have cost him.

Raikkonen has not won a single grand prix since returning to Maranello from Lotus in 2014 and his inability to better the results of countryman Valtteri Bottas meant Ferrari were thrashed by Mercedes in last year's contractors' championship, despite a narrow fight between Lewis Hamilton and Vettel for individual honours.

Leclerc has done little to dampen the rumours ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, stating how much a switch to the Scuderia would mean to him.

"I don't think about it too much, although that is difficult," he said.

"I see the rumours and it makes me happy because it has always been my dream to drive for Ferrari. If one day it happens, it would be just amazing."

Raikkonen has been linked with a move to McLaren as the struggling British team face losing Fernando Alonso in his pursuit for the 'Triple Crown'.

The Iceman refused to discuss a potential move on Thursday in Spielberg.