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.”