Charles and Arthur Leclerc are set to become the first brothers in the history of F1 racing to drive on track at the same time and for the same team when they hit the FP1 session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be one to remember for Scuderia Ferrari. Not only will the team be fighting to claim the Constructors’ title in the final round for the first time in the hybrid era, as well as saying goodbye to Spaniard Carlos Sainz after four seasons, but this last race of the season will also see two brothers, Charles and Arthur Leclerc, drive in an F1 session at the same time and for the same team.
It has been confirmed that 24-year-old Arthur will be driving Sainz’s car in the first free practice session on the Yas Marina Circuit on 6th December as part of the mandatory young driver test.
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The younger Leclerc is also expected to drive in the post-season test next Tuesday, sharing one car with Antonio Fuoco, while his 27-year-old brother Charles will drive the second car.
While it is the first time ever that brothers have driven for the same team at the same time, plenty of other siblings have taken part in an official F1 session before them – 19 pairs, in fact.
The most famous brothers are Michael and Ralf Schumacher who, during their respective F1 careers, won 91 and six Grand Prix. At one point in 2003, the Schumacher brothers were both in contention for the championship. Elder brother Michael ultimately took the title for Ferrari.
Other well-known competitive siblings include Teo and Corrado Fabi, who raced the Brabham BT53 in 1984, but never in the same race; Jody and Ian Scheckter; and Jackie and Jimmy Stewart.
Constructors’ title a “mathematical possibility”
With just one race to go, Ferrari is second in the Constructors’ standings behind McLaren, which has a 21-point lead over the Maranello marque.
“For the first time in the hybrid era, we are in the running for the championship title at the final round. That in itself is a great achievement, but this weekend we will be trying to take that important final step,” says Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur of the battle for first place. “Let’s be honest, it is a mathematical possibility, but in reality, it will be very difficult to achieve, because even if we finish first and second, McLaren can afford to finish third and fourth, or even worse, and still have the edge. But Ferrari has always liked a challenge!”
He adds, “If we can once again produce a perfect weekend from start to finish, we will at least be in with a chance and able to leave Abu Dhabi saying we gave it our best shot. Our preparation for this event has been thorough, and we know that qualifying will play a very important role, even if our car tends to perform better in the race. Charles, Carlos, and the entire team are all set to fight tooth and nail to bring home the title.”
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Photos credit: Charles Leclerc / Facebook