Bernie Ecclestone has changed his mind about Charles Leclerc.

Earlier, the former F1 supremo criticised Ferrari for installing the youngster as Sebastian Vettel's new teammate.

"I was wrong," the 88-year-old told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I thought getting rid of Raikkonen was not a good idea.

"Before giving a final judgement I need to wait, but at the moment Charles seems super fast and perhaps even faster than Vettel."

Ecclestone's comments are surprising, given his close relationship with Vettel. One might regard the Vettel-Leclerc situation as a generational shift.

"But Seb isn't old," Bernie insisted.

"What's happening to him is strange. Maybe he thought he had an easy life now and didn't realise how fast Charles could be, or maybe the mistakes of last year affected him.

"But I remain convinced that Sebastian can win the championship," Ecclestone added.