Charles Leclerc experienced a day to remember (and not just for the right reasons) during the practice sessions at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. After a free practice session where he drove alongside his brother, Arthur Leclerc, a penalty came crashing down on his hopes of winning the race.
But that wasn’t the only problem he faced. The Monegasque driver also suffered from food poisoning, which almost prevented him from racing this weekend.
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Two brothers as teammates in Formula 1
For the first time in Formula 1 history, two brothers shared the track during the same session for the same team. Charles Leclerc had the honor of driving alongside his younger brother Arthur, who participated as a rookie driver during this free practice session at the Abu Dhabi GP. Arthur, currently racing in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) and Italian GT, took the wheel of Carlos Sainz’s car. Their mother, present in the Ferrari garage, witnessed this emotional, once-in-a-lifetime moment. However, bad news soon darkened the day for Charles Leclerc. A battery failure, combined with food poisoning, derailed his start to the weekend. Thankfully, repairs allowed him to participate in the session, which he finished with the fastest lap time. Arthur, meanwhile, relished his first outing in a modern F1 car, though he struggled with soft tire management and the intense physical demands.
Charles Leclerc’s double curse in Abu Dhabi
Unfortunately, the day also highlighted Ferrari’s ongoing technical challenges. The battery issue on Charles’ car resulted in a 10-place grid penalty, as per the regulations on component usage. This is a major setback for the Scuderia’s hopes of overtaking McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship battle. With a 21-point deficit to their rivals, Ferrari will need to deliver an exceptional performance on Sunday to achieve the impossible. Heavy pressure now rests on Carlos Sainz, the only Ferrari driver with a shot at pole position tomorrow. Despite his fatigue from food poisoning, Charles remained highly motivated. “This moment with my brother was a huge morale boost. It was a special day, and it’s pushing me to give it my all this weekend, despite the obstacles,” he shared. Ferrari must now rely on flawless strategy and hope for a race spiced up by incidents to turn the tide.
A tense weekend for the Leclerc family
For Arthur Leclerc, this day marked a major milestone in his career. He eagerly shared his experience of driving an F1 car for the first time: “The power and grip are incredible, but it takes serious physical fitness, especially for your neck!” Watching his older brother pass him on the track was a moment filled with sibling camaraderie, even as both drivers felt the weight of family and sporting pressure. For Charles, this race is more than just a sporting challenge. With his family traveling from Monaco to support him, the Ferrari driver hopes not only to deliver a strong performance to end the season but also to make this unique weekend unforgettable.
This article explores the highlights and challenges faced by the Leclerc brothers during Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, showcasing their emotions, Ferrari’s stakes, and the importance of this special moment for their careers and family.
Images: Scuderia Ferrari media
