Ferrari's Leclerc hails 'fantastic experience'

Charles Leclerc put 98 laps on the first day of in-season testing in Budapest, but his ultimate run was undoubtedly the most impressive.

The 19-year-old 's final effort of the day behind the wheel of Ferrari's SF70H yielded the fastest lap, a feat achieved no less on soft tyres!

From the outside, Leclerc looked fast at the outset, but inside, the excitement may have even been greater.

"Driving a Ferrari is never a ‘normal’ experience,” commented the 19 year old Monegasque driver.

" I felt as though I was driving a race car for the very first time. It’s a great honour I have been accorded and I thank Ferrari with all my heart for this opportunity.

"I am pleased with the work I did and I hope the team is too. Driving the SF70H was a fantastic feeling and coming from F2, it’s a whole other world, from every point of view.

Ferrari's junior Leclerc fastest on Day 1 in Budapest!

"It was the first time that I’ve driven a Formula 1 car with the wider tyres and this level of aerodynamic downforce and it was an incredible feeling.

"I also learned a lot from the work in the garage: Ferrari has the best engineers in the world and I felt very comfortable working with them.

"To set the fastest time is nice, but, in testing, its importance is only relative. I can now go on holiday in a happy mood, before concentrating on the second part of the F2 season.

"For the moment, Formula 1 is just a dream. I still have work to do and I know that: one step at a time."

Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen will be in action tomorrow for Day 2 of the Budapest test.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.