Alfa Romeo Sauber

The age of the true ‘backmarker’ team in Formula 1 may be coming to an end. Gone are the times where Minardi would regularly prop up the standings, or the fleeting trio of Caterham, HRT and Marussia would scramble outside of the points.

Charles Leclerc is unwilling to set any firm expectations for his debut Formula 1 season in 2018 with Sauber, but is sure the team's improved engine agreement with Ferrari will offer "a big step".

Charles Leclerc has revealed the reasons behind his decision to choose #16 as his permanent number in Formula 1 ahead of his debut in 2018 with Alfa Romeo Sauber.

The recent Alfa Romeo Sauber announcement may have pointed to Ferrari having enough of a say in the team's affairs to place two drivers of its choosing in the race setas for 2018, but that has not proven to be the case.