Ferrari poised to make historic move in F1 as Carlos Sainz steps aside for Abu Dhabi FP1 session
Today at 09:28 AM
Carlos Sainz will step out of his Ferrari for the first practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the final round of the 2024 Formula 1 championship, marking a bittersweet close to his tenure with the team before he transitions to Williams next season. The Italian side, however, is required to run a young driver in both of their cars by season's end, and so far they've fulfilled this obligation only once.
At the 4.304-kilometre Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Charles Leclerc was sidelined to let Oliver Bearman take the wheel, though an unfortunate collision with Alex Albon sent Bearman's car back to the pits on a flatbed. Ideally, Ferrari would have given the young English driver another opportunity in Abu Dhabi, but Ollie Bearman now no longer qualifies as a rookie after filling in for Haas at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where he substituted for an ailing Kevin Magnussen. Next season, the Ferrari junior is set to join Haas as a full-time driver alongside Esteban Ocon.
Meanwhile, rivals Mercedes and Red Bull have already made strides with their junior drivers. Mercedes put Kimi Antonelli in the car at Monza and Mexico, while Red Bull and McLaren each fielded a young driver once, with Isack Hadjar and Pato O'Ward, respectively.
Ferrari may turn to Arthur Leclerc for the Abu Dhabi session, joining his older brother Charles on track. According to Motorsport Netherlands, Ferrari is evaluating the possibility of fielding Arthur for FP1, although World Endurance Championship driver Antonio Fuoco initially seemed the preferred choice due to his super license qualifications and experience testing an F1 car at Fiorano. Another Ferrari academy member, Robert Shwartzman, had also been a consideration, though his recent focus has shifted toward IndyCar.
Arthur Leclerc, who has contributed through Ferrari's simulator program, is an appealing candidate for both his driving skills and potential marketing impact. Having the Leclerc brothers on the track together would not only bring them into a unique family legacy but would also make them the first siblings to share a team in F1 since Emerson and Wilson Fittipaldi in 1975.
The 24-year-old Leclerc has achieved notable success outside of F1, securing the Italian GT3 Endurance title this year and competing in the European Le Mans Series' LMP2 category. Though his chances of reaching F1 are uncertain, Arthur has forged a strong racing career.
After Abu Dhabi, Carlos Sainz will depart, and Charles Leclerc will partner with Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari next season. The Monegasque driver recently commented that racing alongside the seven-time Formula 1 world champion will be "very special," considering Lewis Hamilton's extraordinary achievements in F1.
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