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Following his domination of Formula 2 through 2017, Charles Leclerc will get his long-awaited chance to impress in F1 this year when he links up with backmarker outfit Sauber.

Leclerc may not stand much chance of adding to his haul of race wins in recent years given the team’s lack of competitiveness, but a current-year engine and a closer tie to Ferrari - leading to its new title sponsorship from Alfa Romeo - should see Sauber in better stead through 2018.

Leclerc will be looking to impress in the midfield and do what he can to put teammate Marcus Ericsson in the shade, something Mercedes youngster Pascal Wehrlein seems to have paid the price for failing to do.

It has been a long time since there was this much hype surrounding a young driver entering F1. It is now up to Leclerc to impress and continue his incredible climb up the racing ladder, with early links being made to a possible Ferrari seat.