This weekend’s Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marks a historic and deeply personal milestone for Charles Leclerc as he prepares to share the track with his younger brother Arthur Leclerc during FP1, both driving for Ferrari. The event will make them the first brothers in F1 history to compete in a session for the same team, a moment Charles describes as “very, very special.”
A Family’s Journey of Sacrifice
Charles, a multiple GP winner and Ferrari’s lead driver, opened up about the emotional significance of this moment for his family, who have endured financial hardships to support the racing dreams of both brothers.
“It’s not only special for me or Arthur, but for the whole family,” Charles said. “I can only see how many sacrifices my parents made when we were younger to allow us to continue pursuing our dreams.”
Charles highlighted how Arthur’s career was briefly paused due to financial challenges, making this shared moment even more poignant.
“[Arthur] had to stop his career for five years because my parents couldn’t really afford to support us both,” Charles revealed. “When he was able to restart, it was such a joy for him—and for all of us.”
A Tribute to Their Late Father
The Leclerc brothers’ father passed away before Charles made his debut in F1, and the Ferrari driver reflected on how much this opportunity would have meant to him.
“It’s special because of how much my father gave to help us pursue our dreams,” Charles said. “To see two of his sons driving in F1 for Ferrari is something I’ll never forget.”
Their entire family has flown to Abu Dhabi from Monaco to witness the historic moment firsthand.
A Shared History on the Track
The brothers’ competitive relationship dates back to their childhood, karting alongside their late mentor and friend Jules Bianchi and his younger brother. Charles reminisced about those early days:
“We’ve always raced together—since I was five or six—and those days with Jules’ family helped shape us as drivers. We learned a lot about positioning and racecraft on the track, even in rental karts.”
The transition from virtual racing battles on PlayStation to sharing the real-life Ferrari garage is a dream realized for the Leclerc family.
A Moment to Remember
For Charles, FP1 will be a moment etched in his memory, not just as a driver but as a brother. While Ferrari fans eagerly await this unprecedented sibling showdown, Charles summed up his emotions with pride:
“Tomorrow, we’re living a dream we’ve shared since we were kids. To be in F1, together, and with Ferrari… it doesn’t get more special than this.”
With the entire Leclerc family in attendance and Ferrari’s iconic scarlet cars under the Yas Marina lights, this unique occasion is set to be one of the standout moments of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend. Fans will be watching closely as Charles and Arthur create a new chapter in F1 history.
