F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024: Charles Leclerc, brother Arthur set to create history by driving as teammates in practice session
F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024: Charles Leclerc, brother Arthur set to create history by driving as teammates in practice session
Charles Leclerc will be joined by younger brother Arthur at Ferrari during the first practice session in Abu Dhabi on Friday, marking the first time brothers will take part in an F1 session as team mates.
Arthur, 24, will drive in place of Carlos Sainz during FP1 at the Yas Marina Circuit, fulfilling the team’s second and final mandated rookie driver session this year.
According to FIA regulations, all Formula One drivers must sit out one FP1 each season to give the chance to a rookie who has no more than two Grand Prix starts.
Leclerc, an eight-time race winner, made way for Ollie Bearman, who will drive for Haas in 2025, in Mexico earlier this year. Bearman has already driven three races for Ferrari and Haas this season and thus, he is ineligible.
Arthur, who raced in Formula 2 last year, is currently a Ferrari development driver. He helps the team in the simulator at its Maranello base, while he has also been racing a Ferrari 296 GT3 in the Italian GT championship, entered by Scuderia Baldini 27. He also turned out for Panis Racing in the European Le Mans series this year.
Interestingly, brothers have raced against each other in Formula One in the past – Michael and Ralf Schumacher.
Mexican brothers Pedro and Ricardo Rodriguez both raced for Ferrari but not at the same time.
Ferrari is challenging leader McLaren for the constructors’ championship, with 21 points between them.
(With inputs from Reuters)
