Leclerc opts for start number 14: that belongs to Fernando Alonso!
F1 News
As far as we know, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team was the first team back on track last week, followed by Ferrari this week. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz carried out tyre tests in Barcelona for Pirelli, although the SF-24 was not yet used for that purpose. Arthur Leclerc, Charles' little brother, was also in action. The Monegasque is Ferrari's test and reserve driver this season.
On Monday, Carlos Sainz was behind the wheel of last year's Ferrari in the morning and he achieved a fastest lap of 1:15.097. Charles Leclerc got no further than a 1:16.097. Incidentally, there is little to be seen from the times, as it is not known what tyre compounds Pirelli required the drivers to drive. Tuesday's times are not (yet) known.
Leclerc enjoyed his debut
Arthur Leclerc also drove his laps. He was in action with the number fourteen, which belongs to Fernando Alonso in Formula 1. During a Grand Prix weekend, Leclerc would not be allowed to use this number, but in a closed test it is possible. Arthur chose number 14, as this was his lucky number.
The 23-year-old later revealed he was very impressed with his first day in Formula 1. "It was just amazing, [an] incredible experience," Arthur Leclerc said. "The car feels so fast, it’s nothing like I’ve experienced before. Yeah, it was just crazy."
"If you would have told me six years ago that, before I started motorsport like that, I would have done a day in Formula 1, on the same track with my brother, I would have gone crazy. So [I’m] just so happy to have done it, thank you very much to Scuderia Ferrari for trusting me and giving me this opportunity, and I hope to see you soon," said the driver, who will be competing in the Italian GT championship next season.