Ferrari hand F1 debut to talented young star

Charles Leclerc félicite son frère Arthur vainqueur en F3 à Silverstone — Photo: © LAT Images

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Ferrari hand F1 debut to talented young star

Arthur Leclerc has had his first taste of F1 machinery this week

Cal Gaunt

Tuesday 30 January 2024 12:57

Ferrari have handed Arthur Leclerc his first taste of F1 machinery during their three-day test in Barcelona.

In a noteworthy moment, Charles Leclerc's brother, Arthur, took the helm of the 2022 F1-75 car, a scene captured and posted on X as he exited the garage for his maiden test drive.

Recently appointed as a development driver at Ferrari, Arthur, alongside Oliver Bearman, engaged in the three-day Pirelli test, a prelude to the official F1 test preceding the new season in Bahrain.

Arthur Leclerc had his first taste of an F1 car in Barcelona

"You never forget your first," Ferrari captioned the video.

"Arthur Leclerc heads out for his first laps in an F1 car."

Important tests underway

On January 29 and 30, Ferrari's main drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, navigated the previous year's SF-23, conducting essential tests for the sport's tyre supplier at the Catalunya Circuit.

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While Leclerc and Sainz shared driving duties in both the 2023 and 2022 challengers on the 30th, Oliver Bearman will have the track to himself on the 31st in the F1-75.

Ferrari harboured optimism heading into these tests, seeking to address inconsistencies from the previous season that cost them second place in the constructors' standings to Mercedes.

You never forget your first ❤️@arthur_leclerc7 heads out for his first laps in an @f1 car! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/v7guONcbCy
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) January 29, 2024