Elkann jumps the gun, congratulates Leclerc on Ferrari drive!

A company owned by the brother of Ferrari chairman John Elkann spilled the beans on Charles Leclerc on Facebook, congratulating the driver for his imminent arrival at Ferrari before scrapping the message.

Garage Italia, an automotive customization company founded by flamboyant businessman Lapo Elkann, clumsily anticipated an official announcement, expected any day now, of Leclerc's move to Maranello with the following message:

"Proud to have believed in you since the debut in @ f1," read the Garage Italia post on Facebook.

"Proud to have accompanied you on the track, corner after corner. Happy to see you soon at the wheel of the Red @charles_leclerc ".

• Ecclestone: Entry to Mercedes, Ferrari blocked for Verstappen

The company subsequently deleted the post and replaced it with another message in which it "hopes that the dream comes true!"

After a formative year in Formula 1 with Sauber and a string of impressive results, Leclerc is set to replace Kimi Raikkonen at the Scuderia, the Italian squad apparently following up on a deal to promote the Monegasque initially put together by former Ferrari boss Sergio Marchionne.

Reports emerged earlier this week that Raikkonen was told of his fate at Monza last weekend by Ferrari's Elkann, while the announcement of a deal with Leclerc is imminent.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter