Leclerc: "Stupid" to adjust expectations based on Baku

The Sauber driver started 13th in Azerbaijan after making it into the second part of qualifying for the first time and moved up to sixth place in the opening stint of a dramatic race.

He slipped down the top 10 as other drivers recovered but more incidents later in the race helped him score his first F1 points finish in style.

Asked by Motorsport.com if this meant Q2 appearances and points had to be his target, Lerclerc admitted “this is something I need to be careful of”.

“Being realistic, this is not going to happen every race,” he added.

“OK, we have made everything right this weekend, everything went very well, but nobody should expect the same race next time. It would be stupid.

“I think it'll be a combination of everything. We shouldn't expect this, but we'll work to get a similar result in the future.”

Sauber F1 team principal Fred Vasseur says that Leclerc’s sixth place in Baku was an important step for the rookie.

He stressed that the Monegasque must stayed focussed after a difficult start to the season.

“You know that we have to keep the feet on the ground,” Vasseur told Motorsport.com. “At the beginning of the season everybody considered that he was a superstar, and then he was nowhere.

“We just have to calm down and be focussed on the job we have to do, and to take it step-by-step.

“But I’m fully convinced that he will keep his feet on the ground, and if not, I will push it.

“He was in the right place at the right moment all through the race. I think for his own confidence it’s a good step forward.”

Vasseur insisted that the race was not just about luck, and that Leclerc had been “very impressive” and “very consistent” throughout the grand prix.

Leclerc’s result means Sauber has scored points in two of the first four races and already doubled its 2017 tally.

Vasseur acknowledged it will get harder for Sauber to earn points as the development race accelerates.

“It’s always much easier to get them at the beginning of the season, and we have to keep it in mind,”

Vasseur said. “It’s a good achievement. It will probably more difficult in the last part of the season.”