Leclerc still needs to develop as a leader at Ferrari - Binotto

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto feels Charles Leclerc still needs to develop in a number of areas, primarily as a leader.

At the start of last season following his arrival at Ferrari, Leclerc was effectively number two driver to Sebastian Vettel.

Over the course of the year as the 22-year-old proved himself, he earned equal-rights status alongside his more illustrious team-mate.

With Ferrari deciding earlier this year to dispense with Vettel's services at the end of this season, Leclerc is now de facto number one.

While Binotto appreciates the Monégasque is acquitting himself well on track, he feels there are areas of personal development that remain a work in progress.

"I think that Charles is a great driver, no doubts," said Binotto. "We all know that.

"He is a fantastic talent, he’s very fast, he’s capable of battling, protecting the position, overtaking and I think when he is on track, he is certainly fantastic. I think there is nothing to prove or to demonstrate on that one."

On the flipside, Binotto added: "He is still very young and he still needs to get experience and he needs to develop as a man, as a person, as a leader, finally, for the team.

"And if there is anything he is focused on at the moment it is really developing his leadership, and developing leadership means helping the team to progress and to get better results in the future, and I think he is doing well in that respect."

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