close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US

'Too early' for Leclerc at Ferrari, warns Villeneuve

Photo: © LAT Images

'Too early' for Leclerc at Ferrari, warns Villeneuve

By Joas van Wingerden.
Google Make us your Google favorite

Former Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve says a promotion to Ferrari in 2019 would come too soon for Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque - a member of Ferrari's junior program - has reportedly agreed a €5million two-year deal to replace Kimi Raikkonen at the Scuderia next season.

Formula 2 champion Leclerc has made a fine start to life in F1, scoring points in five of the last six races after a ninth-place finish at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Remarkably, Leclerc now has more career points than Sauber team-mate Marcus Ericsson, despite having started 76 fewer grands prix.

READ MORE: Ferrari 'offer Leclerc two-year deal'
READ MORE: McLaren 'to make move for Raikkonen'

Raikkonen is third in the drivers' championship, having finished second in Austria, and Raikkonen believes Ferrari ought to bear in mind the Finn's experience as they attempt to defeat Mercedes in the development race through the campaign.

"I think it's too early for him," Villeneuve told Auto Bild of Leclerc.

"On the one hand Ferrari risks burning him, if he is beaten by Vettel. And on the other hand they need an experienced second driver, and Kimi Raikkonen is quite stable now.

"If Sebastian has to develop the car alone next year, that's a disadvantage.

"I would give Leclerc another year to develop and learn. He's in Ferrari's junior team anyway with a contract.

"So I don't see any reason to rush him into the A team. Because really we don't know how good he really is. He's only had Ericsson as a yardstick."

Just in

14:00
Aston Martin insider reveals 'reality' of F1 team's issues ahead of critical upgrades
12:30
Max Verstappen insider blasts Drive to Survive star: 'I really hate it when people do that'
10:57
Laurent Mekies admits situation at Red Bull is 'very unpleasant'
09:42
Christian Horner reveals criteria for F1 return
08:55
How Max Verstappen saved Lewis Hamilton from FIA penalty at British GP
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

Aston Martin insider reveals 'reality' of F1 team's issues ahead of critical upgrades Aston Martin F1

Aston Martin insider reveals 'reality' of F1 team's issues ahead of critical upgrades

57 minutes ago
Christian Horner reveals criteria for F1 return Christian Horner

Christian Horner reveals criteria for F1 return

Today 09:42
Christian Horner says he has not missed F1 'politics and bulls***' Christian Horner

Christian Horner says he has not missed F1 'politics and bulls***'

Yesterday 20:57
Christian Horner breaks silence on 'brutal' Red Bull F1 exit Christian Horner

Christian Horner breaks silence on 'brutal' Red Bull F1 exit

Yesterday 18:43
Ontdek het op Google Play
x