Haas F1 Team development driver Charles Leclerc says he is feeling more confident each time he steps in a Formula One car.
The GP3 Series points leader made the third of his five scheduled FP1 outings with the US outfit in Hockenheim last Friday, having already driven at Silvestone and the Hungaroring.
“It was really good, we did many laps,” Leclerc said of his latest session. “This time I didn’t do any errors on the procedures so I did lots of laps, even race sim at the end, was a really good session and I enjoyed it.”
Asked whether driving an F1 car started to feel normal, the 18-year-old added: “A little bit yes, of course a little bit more every time I jump in the car I have more confidence, it’s only the third time I go in it so I still have a lot to learn.
“The car that feels less and less normal now is the GP3 as getting back to the GP3 car is a really big difference but I’m working on it.”
Besides his GP3 and Haas commitments, Leclerc is also a Ferrari junior and drove this year’s SF16-H in the post-British Grand Prix test held at Silverstone last month.
With both cars sharing many similarities, given the strong technical partnership between Haas and Maranello, the Monegasque was asked about how the F1 rookies can make further headway.
“On the engine side they have exactly the same [Ferrari] engine so the car itself needs to be done a bit,” Leclerc replied. “But they are doing a great job, it's only their first year in Formula One, it’s crazy what they are doing for first year in F1, I’m really impressed by them and they will just keep improving I’m sure.”
With Haas yet to confirm its driver line-up for 2017, Leclerc has been tipped for a full-time role with the American team. His next two FP1 outings are scheduled for the Malaysian and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix.
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