©Sauber
Charles Leclerc hasn't enjoyed an easy introduction to Formula 1 this year, having been outperformed so far by a team mate who was seen as an easy target for the rookie.
The 2017 Formula 2 champion is learning the ropes of Grand Prix racing while Marcus Ericsson is almost a season veteran by comparison given his five years of F1 experience.
As highly rated as the Ferrari junior may be, he has suffered at the hands of the Swede since the season kicked off in Melbourne. Last Sunday, Leclerc finished 12th while Ericsson delivered a stunning drive and two championship points to Sauber.
"I honestly think he's a very good driver," Leclerc told Motorsport.com.
"He has a bad reputation but I don't think he deserves it at all. In Melbourne and in Bahrain, he's very fast, and it's difficult for me.
"But I can learn a lot from him. This is good, and I hope it stays like that."
In hindsight, Leclerc believes his interests in Bahrain would have been better served had he not gambled on a one-stop strategy.
The Monegasque was forced to pit just three laps into the race after flat-spotting his tyres, but excessive degradation of his medium rubber brought him back in later.
"They saw I was pushing for it [a one-stop strategy] so we tried it," said Leclerc."
"I paid for it the hard way because my team-mate scored points with a normal strategy"
Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
A familiar storyline may be about to unfold in Formula 1 – one where McLaren…
Momentum is building inside the Haas F1 Team, and much of it is surging from…
Legendary karting coach and talent scout Dino Chiesa has drawn striking parallels between Lewis Hamilton…
F1 world championship leader Kimi Antonelli made good use of his easter weekend to make…
Fresh uncertainty appears to be brewing inside Red Bull Racing, with reports suggesting one of…
Three races into Ferrari’s 2026 campaign, Lewis Hamilton looks rejuvenated – his voice steadier, his…