Charles Leclerc is "ready to fight" for his first Formula One World Championship this season, according to former Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz.

The Monegasque is gearing up for his eighth F1 campaign, and looking to end Max Verstappen's streak of four successive world titles.

Leclerc has been one of Verstappen's closest challengers in recent seasons, finishing second in 2022 and third last year.

The 27-year-old has been joined at Ferrari by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who replaced Sainz ahead of this season, with the Spaniard subsequently joining Williams.

The pair will hope to deliver Ferrari's first constructors' championship title since 2008, with Kimi Raikkonen their last world champion the previous year.

"Let's see how everyone starts the year, but I remember saying to all the Ferrari people when I left that they are ready to fight for championships and win a championship this year," Sainz told Sky Sports News.

"All the learning processes that I'm doing right now with Williams, when I left Ferrari, the team was bang on, perfect to go for it. I know Charles is ready to fight for a championship."

A productive day at Silverstonepic.twitter.com/oXM5cw1QK3

— Atlassian Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) February 14, 2025

Sainz was speaking at Williams' car launch at Silverstone. They will be the fifth different team he has represented in F1, after Ferrari, McLaren, Renault and Toro Rosso.

The four-time Grand Prix champion joins Alex Albon at Williams, who have a multiple-race winner in their lineup for the first time since Felipe Massa eight years ago, and he is optimistic about their future.

"I always say first impressions are very important because you only have one chance to make a first impression," Sainz said. 

"The first impression I had back in the [2024 post-season] test in Abu Dhabi, and the first impression I had of the factory and this FW47 was very positive.

"I see people full of motivation, goodwill and proud of Williams to bring this team forward. We have had a very good winter and a very good test in Abu Dhabi, so I'm happy, and I just want to go racing."