Frédéric Vasseur: “Total confidence” in Charles Leclerc

With the reinforcement ofAlfa Romeo for 2018 and the arrival of Charles Leclerc replacing Pascal Wehrlein, the first turns of the wheel of Sauber F1 Team at the Barcelona winter tests will inevitably be closely monitored.

The Swiss team, headed by Frédéric Vasseur, is thus beginning a new era after having been linked for a time with Honda in anticipation of 2018. The prospect of finding Charles Leclerc full-time delights the French boss.

“Charles, I have been since his years karting at Merlin's, recalls Vasseur. I constantly kept an eye on his progress. GP3 Champion with ART in 2016. Champion F2 last year, but not with us unfortunately.

I'm happy, because it's the first driver I had in the Junior series that I got back in F1. It allows you to have a close relationship that is completely different from what you can have with a driver who has five seasons in the harness. »

Frédéric Vasseur, who has seen many future champions pass through ART Grand Prix, believes that the Monegasque has the qualities to stand out. “He is someone that I have seen progress, that I understand well, that I control well, in whom I have total confidence. It's satisfying.

Humanly, a nice, well-mannered kid, who doesn't act smart, well in his place, sufficiently demanding and also charismatic. He has this ability to get everyone to buy into his project. And then, he's a hard worker.

He only did FP1 for us last year, but he didn't miss a single evening debrief. I know some, but I won't name anyone, who have been back at the hotel for a long time. Through his work, his involvement and his kindness, he leads people along. All pilots are fast, but great champions have that plus it creates synergies. »

Find our complete interview with Frédéric Vasseur, in issue 2152 of AUTOhebdo, still available in digital version and on newsstands.