In an intriguing first for Formula 1, siblings Charles and Arthur Leclerc drove together as teammates in matching Ferraris during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix practice session.
During the practice, Arthur Leclerc, an emerging Formula 2 driver, experienced his debut practice session with Ferrari, substituting for Carlos Sainz Jr. This is part of an initiative where teams allow younger drivers practice time during the season. Such opportunities are intended to provide budding talents like Arthur a taste of the fast-paced world of F1. “Just saying hello to my brother,” Arthur conveyed over the radio, as Charles acknowledged him with a wave during their cooldown lap at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Historically, brothers have competed in F1, with iconic pairs like Michael and Ralf Schumacher securing race wins. However, what sets the Leclerc brothers apart is their collaboration as teammates in an official session of a championship race weekend, making this a momentous occasion for the sport.
For the Leclerc family, this practice session underlines years of dedication and sacrifice. Charles noted the significance of this event, emphasizing the sacrifices made by their family to see such a special moment come to fruition. The family’s commitment even required pausing Arthur’s racing career at one point to focus on supporting Charles’s ascent in F1.
Throughout the session, Arthur Leclerc’s car was equipped with an “aero rake,” a technological frame with sensors to measure aerodynamic flow—a critical aspect teams assess to enhance car performance. Despite the complexities, Arthur managed to secure the 18th fastest time out of 20 drivers, trailing his brother’s pace by 1.858 seconds.
Meanwhile, Charles faced his own set of challenges. Despite leading the practice with the fastest time, an unexpected battery pack replacement resulted in a 10-place grid penalty for the upcoming race. This posed a significant setback to Ferrari’s hopes of overtaking McLaren in the constructors’ championship.
The Abu Dhabi circuit’s final round is often viewed as an optimal ground for integrating younger drivers, given the team’s familiarity with adjusting car setups irrespective of driver feedback. Hence, Arthur’s participation aligned with the broader trend, as several teams, including Red Bull and Aston Martin, also utilized this opportunity to test non-racing drivers.
Younger drivers like Isack Hadjar and Felipe Drugovich also took to the track, driving for Red Bull and Aston Martin respectively, while Jack Doohan is anticipated to make his race debut on Sunday with Alpine.
This practice session not only highlighted the emerging talent of younger drivers like Arthur Leclerc but also underscored the familial and personal milestones within the realm of competitive racing. The Leclerc brothers’ participation as teammates marked a significant chapter in their racing careers, fostering both nostalgia and hope for future successes.
Source: Local10
