Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has suggested that he will not get carried away with his excellent start to the new Formula 1 campaign.
Already holding a lead in the championship ahead of Sunday's Australia Grand Prix, Leclerc prevailed down under as main rival Max Verstappen retired in his Red Bull with a third of the race still remaining.
Leclerc already holds a 37-point advantage over second-placed George Russell and 46 ahead of Verstappen, an unthinkable margin ahead of the start of the campaign last month.
Nevertheless, with 20 races still remaining, the Championship leader has insisted that it is the wrong time to be speaking about his title chances.
Commenting after his victory at Albert Park, Leclerc said: ""We are only in the third race so it is difficult to think about the championship, but we have a very strong car, a very reliable car too, so I hope it continues like this and, if it does, we will have chances for the championship.
"That makes me smile after the last two years, which have been difficult for the team and myself so it is great to be back in this position."
Red Bull driver Sergio Perez claimed second spot, with the Mercedes duo of Russell and Lewis Hamilton finishing in third and fourth position respectively.
Darren Plant
