Leclerc offers advice to latest Ferrari F1 star

Charles Leclerc has issued some sage advice to F1 rookie Oliver Bearman who will join the grid with Haas next year.

Bearman made his F1 debut earlier this season at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, stepping in for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari after the Spanish driver contracted appendicitis and required surgery.

Following an impressive drive to seventh, the 19-year-old continued to be heavily linked with a seat at Haas for next season. A deal was finally confirmed in the build-up to last weekend's British Grand Prix.

After working with Bearman for several years at Ferrari, Leclerc expressed confidence the Briton is ready to make the full-time step to F1.

"I know Oliver very well, honestly, I think he's such an incredibly talented driver," Leclerc told media including RacingNews365. 

"I think that what you need in your first year is always very specific to each driver because it also depends on how much preparation you've had before getting there.

“I think Oliver is very well prepared. He showed that in Jeddah when he jumped in the car and was straight away very, very strong.”

Leclerc urges Bearman to 'take his time'

Bearman's F1 promotion comes amid a difficult Formula 2 season in which he lies a lowly 13th in the standings after eight rounds.

Leclerc has advised Bearman to not rush into trying to impress when he jumps behind the wheel at Haas next year.

"I think one typical advice that I will give him is to not put himself under too much pressure,” he said. "He's still very, very young, and the speed, he has it. He has shown it several times. 

“He's not having an easy season, as the team is struggling a little bit in F2, quite a lot actually, but he's incredibly fast and I have no doubt that he will be super fast in Formula 1.

"He just needs to take his time, make the mistakes that he needs to [make] in order to learn and to become a better driver and not put himself under too much pressure because that's where sometimes you can perform a little bit less, not at your optimum potential.”