Arthur Leclerc could participate in the Free Practice sessions in Abu Dhabi with Ferrari
Ferrari seriously considers fielding Arthur Leclerc, the younger brother of Charles, during the free practice sessions in Abu Dhabi. If this were to happen, Charles and Arthur would become the first brothers to share the track in F1 since Michael and Ralf Schumacher in 2006, and the first to represent the same team since Emerson and Wilson Fittipaldi in 1975.
Ferrari must align a young driver on board of its two cars by the end of the season. Until now, this requirement has only been fulfilled once, in Mexico, where Charles Leclerc watched his Ferrari Driver Academy teammate, Oliver Bearman, take the wheel. Unfortunately, a collision with Alex Albon in the fast lane prematurely ended the session for the young driver and his car had to return to the pits on a truck.
For the Abu Dhabi tests at Yas Marina, Ferrari would have liked to give Bearman another chance, but after competing in three Grand Prix, including the one in Brazil, the Englishman can no longer be considered a rookie and this complicates the situation for the Scuderia.
Ferrari is increasingly seriously considering fielding Arthur Leclerc, Charles’s younger brother, in the Abu Dhabi tests. Although Antonio Fuoco was initially considered due to his super license points and his testing experience at Fiorano, Arthur could represent an attractive option from a marketing point of view.
Robert Shwartzman, who drove for Sauber this season, was also mentioned, but now he is focusing on IndyCar. Arthur, on the other hand, has already tested the car on a simulator as part of his development aid role.
The young pilot, who competes in the World Endurance Championship, has already demonstrated his potential by winning the GT3 Endurance title and competing in the LMP2 category of the European Le Mans Championship.
Although the future in Formula 1 seems uncertain for Arthur, such an opportunity would mark a historic moment for the Scuderia. If this scenario materializes, Charles and Arthur Leclerc would become the first brothers to share the track in F1 since Michael and Ralf Schumacher in 2006, and the first to represent the same team since Emerson and Wilson Fittipaldi in 1975.
As Carlos Sainz will leave Ferrari for Williams in 2025, a 100% Leclerc lineup would be a big publicity stunt for the Prancing Horse, with the approaching arrival of the seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton.
