Charles Leclerc has revealed the reasons behind his decision to choose #16 as his 🌼permanent number in Formula 1 ahead of his debut in 2018 wi🐟th Alfa Romeo Sauber.

Ferrari junior Leclerc will 🎐step up to𒉰 F1 next year after dominating the Formula 2 championship through 2017, with his promotion being confirmed by Sauber at the start of this month.

Leclerc selected #16 as his permanent number to use in F1 throughout his career, but revealed that it was in fact his third choice for a number as Kimi Raikkonen a𝓀nd Pierre Gasly were already using his desired picks.

"Itꦰ’s quit🌄e simple to be honest," Leclerc explained. "I wanted number 7 first, but Kimi had it.

"Then I chose 10,💝 but Pierre came to F1 and chose number 10, so then I chose number 16𒀰.

"It’s just my date of birth and I cou⛎ld not find anything better. And 1 + 6 = 7, which is my favourite number."

Leclerc also revealed 🅰that he found out about the Sauber drive on the final day of the post-season test in Abu Dhabi, despite having been long-rumoured to be in line for a seat.

"It was the last day of the test in Abu Dhabi. Fred [Vasseur] called m🌠e and told me I would be the race driver for Alfa Romeo Saub🧸er for 2018.

"As for any driver signiꩲng their first contract, it felt absolutely amazing. You feel like you have achieved something you always wanted. I always wanted to be a Formula 1 driver since I started karting really.

"But being in Formula 1 does not mean you are going to stay for long. So I need to work alreaꦺdy to make the best season possible next year and hopefully have a successful career in F1.

"It will need a lot of work from my side."