Leclerc reckons second year with Ferrari will be ‘easier'

Charles Leclerc believes his sophomore Formula 1 season driving for Ferrari will be “a bit easier” after embedding himself into the team.

Leclerc impressed in his maiden campaign with the Italian squad and outperformed four-time world champion teammate Sebastian Vettel to finish fourth in the championship, claiming two victories and seven pole positions.

Heading into his second season with the Scuderia, Leclerc believes he is better equipped and in a stronger position compared to 12 months ago.

"This year will change a bit for me as last year everything was new,” Leclerc said.

“I had to discover the whole team even though I was in the Ferrari Drivers Academy, I had to adapt to all the systems and procedures.

“But this year will be a bit easier but on the other hand there will be a lot of expectation. I’ve worked extremely hard to be at the level I want to be at this year and hopefully it will be a positive year for me.

“The approach is a little bit different because now I know the team, I know a little bit the car,” he added.

“This year is a new car but obviously it is an improvement of last year’s car, so we have been working altogether to make it better and to be more ready for this year. I know the people, so it’s a good season.”

The Monegasque, who was often highly self-critical of himself throughout 2019, explained he has worked hard to improve his preparation during grand prix weekends.

“I always set the bar very high, not in terms of results but most in terms of preparation and focusing on the job there is to do in the car,” he said.

“I rarely focus on the result only just because I think if I work well the results will come and if we work well as a team the results will come.

“I’ve been training harder than ever before to get ready for this season and I feel ready.”