Ferrari junior Leclerc knows winning GP3 title key to 2017 F1 hopes

Leclerc has enjoyed a recent string of F1 outings with FP1 runs for Haas at the British and Hungarian GPs, and a day with Ferrari itself during the in-season test at Silverstone.

But to have any chance of being in F1 next year, the 18-year-old has to claim this year's GP3 crown to reach the 40 superlicence points required under the current FIA system.

Leclerc has 17 superlicence points to date - 10 from finishing runner-up in the 2014 Formula Renault 2.0 Alps, and seven from fourth in last year's Formula 3 European Championship - and needs score a further 23.

Winning the GP3 title carries 30 points, with runner-up only 20.

He leads Alexander Albon in the GP3 standings by two points entering this weekend's Hungaroring round.

"I need to win this year to gain my superlicence, and this season has started well as I am first in the championship," said Leclerc, when asked about his position by Autosport.

"Silverstone was a hard weekend because I got a grid penalty.

"Starting from P7 I did the best I could, finishing a P2 and a P3, but still leading the championship.

"We have the pace, but it's down to me to do the job and to bring the title home."

Haas is waiting until after the Italian Grand Prix in September to evaluate its driver line-up, though Romain Grosjean is considered a certainty to stay.

Williams and Toro Rosso drivers Valtteri Bottas and Daniil Kvyat both leapt from GP3 straight into F1.

Asked whether he had the potential to replicate their moves, Leclerc said: "Yeah, I think so.

"We will see with the opportunity I get at the end of the year, so obviously if I have the opportunity then I will jump on it.

"But I definitely need to win [GP3], and then we will see.

"The pressure has increased a little bit, but I've always had the same mindset.

"I give the best of myself, and I will see what it gives at the end of the year."

Leclerc has three more FP1 sessions to come with Haas this year, including next Friday in Germany, and says he is now getting a taste for F1.

"It's amazing to be in a Formula 1 car that much, and knowing I have three more FP1s makes me smile," added Leclerc.