Charles Leclerc will have his first taste of 2016 Formula 1 machinery when he participates in the opening free practice session of the British Grand Prix weekend with the Haas F1 Team.
It will be the first of five free practice sessions the Monegasque driver will participate in, with Leclerc joining the opening free practices in Hungary, Germany, Malaysia and Abu Dhabi.
The eighteen-year-old will take the seat of Esteban Gutierrez in each of the sessions as the team continue the highly rated and extremely talented Leclerc’s development driver programme, which he is combining with a crack at the GP3 Series championship with the ART Grand Prix team.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to get seat time in a Formula One car and I can’t thank Haas F1 Team and Esteban enough,” said Leclerc.
“I’m honoured by the faith Haas F1 Team and Ferrari have in me. This is an important step toward my ultimate goal of becoming a Formula One driver.”
Leclerc took to the track in a 2014 Ferrari around the Fiorano circuit in Italy in May to rack up the required 300km to be able to participate in an official Formula 1 session, and Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has welcomed the addition of the practice sessions with his team for the Monegasque driver.
“Charles Leclerc is highly regarded by Ferrari and his record speaks for itself,” said Steiner. “We’re happy to provide this opportunity and help develop the next generation of Formula One drivers.
“Credit also goes to Esteban for sharing his racecar and serving as a mentor to Charles.”
