Marcus Ericsson, who made a mark in both Formula 1 and IndyCar, recently identified Charles Leclerc as his favorite F1 teammate during a fan Q&A. This revelation highlights the strong connection developed between Ericsson and Leclerc while racing together at Sauber, and brings attention to Leclerc’s talents as the focus keyword in this story.
Ericsson’s Journey Through Formula 1 Teams
Ericsson, a Swedish driver and 2022 Indy 500 champion, began his Formula 1 career in 2014 with the Caterham F1 team, where he partnered with Kamui Kobayashi. Following a contract termination with Caterham just before the 2014 season finale, Ericsson moved to Sauber for 2015. There, he teamed up with Felipe Nasr for two seasons before Nasr was replaced by Pascal Wehrlein for 2017. During Wehrlein’s brief injury, Antonio Giovanazzi stepped in to drive. The turning point came in 2018, when Sauber rebranded as Alfa Romeo Sauber and brought on Charles Leclerc, fresh off an F2 championship, as Ericsson’s new teammate.
Ericsson Praises Leclerc as His Top Choice
During an Instagram interaction, Marcus Ericsson responded openly when asked about his favorite Formula 1 teammate by naming Charles Leclerc. His remarks reflected the positive relationship and respect he holds for Leclerc, who went on to become a key figure for Ferrari after his rookie year at Sauber.
“@charles_leclerc Great driver. Great guy. Had a lot of fun the year we raced together,”
the Andretti Global driver replied.—Marcus Ericsson, Andretti Global driver
Impressions of Leclerc’s Talent and Growth
Beyond social media, Ericsson’s admiration for Leclerc was also expressed in a 2022 interview on the F1 Nation podcast. Ericsson, reflecting on their time as teammates, highlighted Leclerc’s immediate impact in Formula 1, even as a newcomer. Despite having less experience than his Swedish counterpart, Leclerc managed to outscore Ericsson by a significant margin in their shared season—39 points to 9—displaying remarkable pace and learning ability.
“I think, already in 2018 when he came into Formula 1, you could tell straight away that he’s an extremely fast race car driver,”
Ericsson said in 2022.
“There’s no doubt about that, everyone sees that. He’s so dedicated and eager to do well and learn. He always asked me a lot of questions. He is so critical of himself when making mistakes. He does learn from that, by the way.”
—Marcus Ericsson, Andretti Global driver
“This is also one of his stronger qualities. He makes mistakes, learns from them, and comes back stronger. It’s good to see that this year he has a car that can fight at the forefront. He also lives up to it. He’s a cool frog. The more pressure he gets, the better he’s going to perform,”
the IndyCar star added.—Marcus Ericsson, Andretti Global driver
Ericsson’s IndyCar Career After Formula 1
Marcus Ericsson left Formula 1 for IndyCar in 2019, beginning with Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, now part of Arrow McLaren. He then moved to Chip Ganassi Racing in 2020, a partnership filled with achievement, most notably winning the Indy 500 in 2022. However, since joining Andretti Global in 2023, his performance has declined, with 2025 marking his lowest finish, placing 20th in the standings—far behind his teammates who reached the Top 7.
The Significance of Ericsson’s Endorsement
By choosing Charles Leclerc as his preferred Formula 1 teammate, Marcus Ericsson underscores Leclerc’s ability to make a lasting impression, even during his rookie year. As both drivers continue their journeys—Leclerc as a central figure at Ferrari and Ericsson entering the final year of his contract with Andretti Global—the recognition serves as a testament to Leclerc’s rapid development and potential. The admiration between Ericsson and Leclerc highlights the impact of talented teammates in elite motorsport, while offering insight into the camaraderie and respect that persists beyond competitive racing seasons.
