Sauber keen to let Charles Leclerc focus on F2 title bid

Charles Leclerc needs to be given time to focus on clinching the FIA Formula 2 title before discussing a possible Formula 1 seat for 2018, reckons Sauber chief Frederic Vasseur.

Leclerc, 19, is on-course to wrap up the F2 title in his rookie season, having stepped up to the category after taking the GP3 title last year.

The Ferrari youngster has been linked with an F1 seat at Sauber for 2018 thanks to a new technical partnership between the two parties, and while Vasseur is open to the idea, he is keen for Leclerc to get the job done in F2 first.

"The deal is based on the powertrain, which means it’s the engine and the gearbox and then we will discuss together the fact that we could extend the deal on another parameter for some other parts," Vasseur said of the Ferrari partnership.

"On the driver point of view, regarding Charles, I think he has to be focused on the Formula 2 Championship. [There are] still a couple of races to go and it’s a bit too early to discuss this.

"I hope we will have the discussion at some stage. But I think, to be honest, even for Charles it’s a bit too early to put it on the table."