Breaking news

Formula 1 Barcelona February testing

Leclerc ‘put emotion to one side’ in first 2019 Ferrari F1 test

Charles Leclerc said he put the emotion of his official 2019 debut as a Ferrari Formula 1 driver aside as he topped pre-season testing at Barcelona on Tuesday.

Matt Beer

Published: Feb 19, 2019, 7:44 PM

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF90

Though Leclerc had previously tested for Ferrari during his time on its driver development scheme and post-season at Abu Dhabi last year – as well as having two laps in 2019's SF90 on Sunday as part of a 'filming day' shakedown – Tuesday was the fully-fledged start of his maiden season in the team's race line-up.

He picked up where new team-mate Sebastian Vettel had left off on Monday, by dominating the times – topping the morning session by over a second and staying on top through the afternoon.

“There's always going to be some when you get into a Ferrari, but today I put that to one side because I had a job to do for the team," said Leclerc of his emotions.

“Let's hope we keep going like this over the next few days, because it's important to make the most of the few on-track testing opportunities we have."

More F1 testing insights:

Leclerc's tally of 157 laps was the day's second-highest. He finished the day fastest by just over three tenths of a second as McLaren's Lando Norris closed in with a late run on a softer tyre compound.

“Despite some red flag interruptions, we were able to get through all our programme and to do 157 laps, which has produced a lot of useful data,” Leclerc continued. “In terms of feeling, I quickly felt comfortable with the SF90 and I have to say I really enjoyed myself.”

Vettel takes over on Ferrari duty for Wednesday, before Leclerc gets back into the cockpit for the final day of the first test.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF90

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF90

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF90

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF90

Charles Leclerc, FerrariSF90

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF90

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF90

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF90

Charles Leclerc, FerrariSF90

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF90

10

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Read also :

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Previous article Gasly "caught by surprise" in F1 test crash

Next article Barcelona Test Day 2: Leclerc continues Ferrari's grip of top spot

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

More from

Matt Beer



Ferrari drivers escape punishment for clash

Formula 1

Formula 1

Brazilian GP

Ferrari drivers escape punishment for clash



Hamilton accepts full responsibility for Albon collision

Formula 1

Formula 1

Brazilian GP

Hamilton accepts full responsibility for Albon collision



Vettel, Leclerc called to stewards over accident

Formula 1

Formula 1

Brazilian GP

Vettel, Leclerc called to stewards over accident

More from

Charles Leclerc



The mistakes that cost Lewis Hamilton a podium at F1’s US GP

Formula 1

Formula 1

United States GP

The mistakes that cost Lewis Hamilton a podium at F1’s US GP



Fred Vasseur reveals two costly moments that denied Ferrari US GP double podium

Formula 1

Formula 1

United States GP

Fred Vasseur reveals two costly moments that denied Ferrari US GP double podium



What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 United States GP

Formula 1

United States GP

What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 United States GP

More from

Ferrari



Charles Leclerc reacts to Ferrari fear: 'We know what line not to cross'

Formula 1

Formula 1

United States GP

Charles Leclerc reacts to Ferrari fear: 'We know what line not to cross'



Why Ferrari failed to deliver on its hype in F1's United States GP qualifying

Formula 1

Formula 1

United States GP

Why Ferrari failed to deliver on its hype in F1's United States GP qualifying



Employing team orders can simply be a matter of common sense

Formula 1

Employing team orders can simply be a matter of common sense

Latest news



F1 Mexico GP: Friday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Mexican GP

1 h

F1 Mexico GP: Friday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch



Unwell Kimi Antonelli skips F1 Mexico GP media day

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Mexican GP

2 h

Unwell Kimi Antonelli skips F1 Mexico GP media day



Adding a stage, fuel cell mod all on table to fix superspeedway fuel saving

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Talladega II

2 h

Adding a stage, fuel cell mod all on table to fix superspeedway fuel saving



Why Daniel Ricciardo would consider a comeback at Le Mans

WEC

WEC WEC 3 h

Why Daniel Ricciardo would consider a comeback at Le Mans

Feature

Discover prime content



The one aspect of the 2026 US GP that should be a blueprint for F1 2027

Formula 1

United States GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

The one aspect of the 2026 US GP that should be a blueprint for F1 2027



A strategic masterclass: How Kimi Antonelli put himself on the cusp of F1 title at the US GP

Formula 1

United States GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

A strategic masterclass: How Kimi Antonelli put himself on the cusp of F1 title at the US GP



How Verstappen and Antonelli were both “surprised” in United States GP qualifying

Formula 1

United States GP

By Stuart Codling

How Verstappen and Antonelli were both “surprised” in United States GP qualifying



What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 United States GP

Formula 1

United States GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 United States GP

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts

Subscribe