Teen racer Charles Leclerc raring to go in Macau as one of the sport's hot new talents
Monaco-born driver has made a huge impact in his rookie year in Europe and hopes to shine at Macau Grand Prix
Teenager Charles Leclerc has arrived for the 62nd Macau Grand Prix with the world of motor sport seemingly at his feet after a breakthrough season that saw him named the FIA European F3 rookie of the year.
Four wins for the season in Europe – and eight podium finishes in his first nine races in the senior ranks – have had the F3 faithful heralding the talent shown by the 18-year-old Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR) driver.
I want to arrive in Formula One when I am more than ready and Formula 3 is a good choice in that I can learn and develop
“A superstar in the making, his sheer potential eclipsing anyone else who raced in F3 alongside him in 2015,” was how Motorsport.com described the season just gone.
For his part, however, Leclerc is keeping the focus on what’s right in front of him, rather than on what the horizon might offer as he sets out to tackle the tricky Guia circuit for the first time, knowing, of course, the greats of racing who have gone out there before him and still with comparisons to former VAR – and current Formula One – star Max Verstappen ringing in his ears.
“I am taking things step by step,” says Leclerc. “I want to arrive in Formula One when I am more than ready and Formula 3 is a good choice in that I can learn and develop.
“And I raced Max all through my karting years and we fought each other at the finish, so I have always had the comparisons with him and I am okay with them.”
