Sauber boss Frederic Vasseur believes that his current driver, and future Ferrari man, Charles Leclerc will face huge pressure next year.

The Monegasque driver is replacing Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari for 2019, and will be constantly up against five-time World Champion, Lewis Hamilton.

His current boss does not think that the comparisons between the two are fair, though, as their F1 careers started out differently.

“I don’t compare Charles [Leclerc] today with people such as Lewis [Hamilton],” Vasseur said.

“First of all, Lewis was more than ten years ago and he drove for McLaren, and they were a title contender, so there was a big aspect of differences at the same stage, with Lewis.

“When Charles joined us we were at the back of the grid, so Charles’ approach was a completely different one.

“It was much easier to start with Sauber, I think. He struggled a little bit on his first appearance, with so little testing.

“But step by step, the pace was quite fast and he improved a lot in his management skills.”

Despite the “unfair” comparisons, Vasseur does think that Leclerc has the chance to become World Champion in the future.

“The most difficult point is the management of the car, and working with the engineers, and that was perhaps a bit difficult in the first weeks, but then he improved quite fast,” he added.

“Up against Lewis next year, he is under pressure.

“Will he surprise? You never know, because at first it will depend on the value of the car that is in your business.

“It is always relative, but the car is improving, Charles is improving and everything is there on the table for him.”

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