Source – Scuderia Fans
It will be the first time brothers have participated in an F1 session together, and Charles Leclerc will have an emotional FP1 session in Abu Dhabi with his younger brother Arthur driving alongside him for Ferrari.
The Ferrari garage at Yas Marina Circuit is set to witness a historic moment as Charles and Arthur Leclerc, two brothers from Monaco, prepare to share the stage during the first practice session of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This unprecedented occasion will see the duo become the first siblings to drive for Ferrari as teammates in an official Formula 1 session, a spectacle that promises to be as emotional as it is groundbreaking.
Arthur Leclerc, at 24 years old, steps into the SF-24 in place of Carlos Sainz, fulfilling Ferrari’s final rookie driver obligation for the 2024 season. FIA regulations mandate that each team must field a rookie driver—defined as one with no more than two Grand Prix starts—in at least two FP1 sessions per season. While this rule has provided opportunities for emerging talents, it has also set the stage for unique moments like this, where a family bond meets Formula 1’s fiercely competitive spirit.
The journey to this point has been anything but ordinary for Arthur. After completing a challenging Formula 2 campaign in 2023, where he finished 15th in the standings with a podium in Melbourne and ten points-scoring finishes, Arthur shifted his focus to development and endurance racing. As Ferrari’s Development Driver, he has played a pivotal role in refining the SF-24’s capabilities through extensive simulator work at Maranello. His racing ventures in 2024 have included competing in the Italian GT Championship behind the wheel of a Ferrari 296 GT3 and participating in the European Le Mans Series with Panis Racing. This combination of responsibilities has shaped Arthur into a versatile driver, ready to seize the opportunity of a lifetime in Abu Dhabi.
For the Leclerc family, this event is a culmination of dreams. Charles, already an eight-time Grand Prix winner, has been Ferrari’s leading light since joining the team in 2019. His journey with the Scuderia has been marked by triumphs, heartbreaks, and an unwavering determination to restore Ferrari’s glory. For Arthur, the younger Leclerc, stepping into a Ferrari alongside his brother is not just a professional milestone—it is a personal triumph. The two have shared countless memories on karting tracks and racing circuits, but Yas Marina will mark the first time their paths converge on the grandest stage of motorsport.
This moment comes after a twist in Ferrari’s original rookie plans. Earlier this season, Arthur’s FP1 opportunity seemed unlikely, as Ferrari had already utilized their rookie slot for Ollie Bearman back in Mexico. However, Bearman’s subsequent appearances, including his unexpected race stint for Haas in Brazil, rendered him ineligible for further rookie sessions under FIA guidelines. This opened the door for Arthur, allowing Ferrari to fulfill their obligations while creating a storybook moment for the Leclerc brothers.
As Arthur prepares to take the SF-24 out onto the iconic Yas Marina Circuit, he brings with him the hopes and pride of his family, his fans, and the Ferrari faithful. For Charles, it is a chance to share the paddock with his brother in a way that transcends competition. While the older Leclerc has carried the weight of Ferrari’s expectations for years, this moment allows him to step back and celebrate a shared milestone with Arthur.
The Abu Dhabi FP1 session, scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM local time on Friday, December 6, will mark the final practice session of the 2024 season. Beyond its significance as a closing chapter for the year, it promises to be a poignant moment in Formula 1’s history—a testament to the sport’s ability to weave personal stories into its competitive tapestry.
As the Ferrari garage readies itself for this extraordinary occasion, one can only imagine the emotions coursing through the Leclerc brothers. For Charles, it is another chapter in his illustrious career. For Arthur, it is the start of a dream realized. For Formula 1, it is a reminder that amidst the high-tech precision and fierce rivalries, the sport is also about moments of humanity, connection, and shared triumph.
