Leclerc: 'Sainz will be a terrific challenge for me'

Charles Leclerc believes he'll be facing a "terrific challenge" next season when Carlos Sainz joins Ferrari, the Monegasque describing his future teammate as a "fabulous driver".

The recent shock announcement of Sebastian Vettel's exit from the Scuderia at the end of the season was followed by the news that Sainz will be ushered in as the German driver's replacement.

Many believe the 25-year-old Spaniard will have some very big shoes to fill, but Leclerc will also prove a hard nut to crack for Sainz given the Monegasque's superiority over Vettel in 2019 and his leading position at Ferrari.

• Domenicali calls on Alonso to help Sainz move to Ferrari

Yet Leclerc denies he'll be the Scuderia's number 1 driver in 2020, insisting Sainz will represent a genuine threat at the outset that he'll need to contend with.

"I'm not going to be number one at Ferrari," Leclerc told French daily L’Equipe.

"I think Carlos is a fabulous driver, and if that's not yet obvious to people, he will prove it at Ferrari from 2021. It will be a terrific challenge for me."

While Leclerc and Vettel found themselves at odds with each other last year, the former reiterated his praise of the latter and the knowledge gained alongside the four-time world champion.

"He taught me a lot. I can count myself lucky to have him as a stable companion because he is an extremely experienced pilot."

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