Charles Leclerc keen on Ferrari Le Mans opportunity, Carlos Sainz rules it out

Ferrari

Leclerc keen on Ferrari Le Mans opportunity, Sainz rules it out

The main focus is F1, but Leclerc would not say no to a crack at Le Mans

Ian Parkes & Sam Hall

Monday 1 March 2021 18:14 Updated: 18:26

Charles Leclerc has said "why not" to competing in the Le Mans 24 Hours with Ferrari if the opportunity were to present itself.

Ferrari recently announced it would be entering the new Le Mans Hypercar class in the World Endurance Championship in 2023.

Given the increasing number of races that feature on the Formula 1 calendar, it is rare for a current driver to feature at Le Mans.

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Most recently, Fernando Alonso competed successfully with Toyota in 2018 at a time when he was also driving for McLaren as the race fell in a one-week gap between grands prix in France and Canada.

Nico Hülkenberg also drove for Porsche in 2015 whilst racing for Force India in F1, with the German taking victory alongside Nick Tandy and Earl Bamber.

Asked if he would be keen to race for the Scuderia in its Le Mans return, Leclerc said: “I love Le Mans. I have always been a fan of Le Mans so if the opportunity arises then I would be very happy to join them.

"At the moment my main focus is Formula 1. But again, if there is an opportunity, why not?”

Leclerc's new team-mate at Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, also conceded his interest in the project but commented he will provide his support from the sidelines.

“From my side, it is obviously a very interesting project and I think it is great that a brand like Ferrari wants to again try Le Mans," said Sainz.

"I will be their main supporter, their main fan, but driving-wise I think we have a lot of work to do here at Ferrari.

“My full focus is with Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 and other projects at the moment are not in my direct mind. I will be following closely but it is still a bit too far away.”