Ocon backs Leclerc for 2019 title challenge

Ahead of Charles Leclerc's 2019 switch to Ferrari, fellow F1 driver Esteban Ocon has said that he could challenge for the drivers' title at Scuderia.

Ferrari announced earlier in the season that Leclerc, 21, will be replacing 39-year-old Kimi Raikkonen at the Italian side, with the latter switching to Leclerc's current team Sauber.

Ocon, who looks set to miss out on an F1 seat for next season; has backed fellow young driver Leclerc to exceed in his debut season for perhaps Formula One's biggest team.

"Charles will fight for the title next year," Ocon told Swiss newspaper Blick. "Or that would at least not be a surprise to me. I have known from day one that he has a lot of talent. And that's exactly what he will defintely show next year."

Lewis Hamilton (2008) and Jacques Villeneuve (1997) both won F1 world championships in their second seasons in the sport, with Leclerc entering his second season next year; after an impressive display for Sauber in his rookie season.

Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene has insisted that there is no rush for the Monegasque driver, though: "Next year, Charles must gain experience and learn from Sebastian (Vettel).

"He has the luxury of being able to face a year in which he will not be asked anything other than bringing the car to the finish line. He must do this (Ferrari) debut pressure and absorb Vettel's efforts like a sponge."