Leclerc gets Haas practice debut at Silverstone

2016 British Grand Prix

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Ferrari development driver Charles Leclerc will participate in an official Formula One practice session for the first time at the British Grand Prix.

The 18-year-old Monegasque driver will make his debut with Ferrari’s engine customers Haas during first practice at Silverstone. He will take over the car usually driven by Esteban Gutierrez.

Leclerc won the opening round of the GP3 championship with ART at the Circuit de Catalunya last month and was the highest-placed rookie in the European Formula Three championship last year, finishing the year fourth overall.

“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,” he said. “I’m honored 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.”

2016 British Grand Prix

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    Keith Collantine
    Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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    8 comments on “Leclerc gets Haas practice debut at Silverstone”

    1. well deserved. He’s a talent

    2. I read nothing out of the ordinary until I saw that he would take Esteban his car and not Grosjean. Across all teams that have gifted FP1 to a driver it was never the paydriver who had to make way. Either way he deserves a shot.

    3. Why this guy? Is he really gifted or does he have the gift of money ??
      With no F1 experience, what else other than him bringing money to get the chance to drive for Team Haas, the lucky American team…
      How could he make a bit of difference to this team. You shouldnt delute your teams limited testing time that rightfully belongs to your regular drivers by allowing a young hopeful that precious time. I hope im wrong on this but dont think i am…

      1. Charles is one of few karting drivers that actually gave Verstappen a run for his money. Went into FR2.0 Alps and came runnet up to McLaren’s young gun, and teammate in GP3, Nyck de Vries. Then he challenged for the F3 title and was leading the championship due to consistency but didnt have enough to challenge Rosenqvist, Giovanassi or Dennis by the end but it was a smart move for Ferrari to snatch him up before any other team did so I believe he is definitely worthy of an FP1 run cause its only a matter of time before he makes his full time debut.

        But to answer your first question: he is very gifted and is now financially safe with his new Ferrari backing

      2. Anyone who knows anything about the junior series these days knows Leclerc is a talent to be reckoned with.

    4. I know more now than i did before. Thank you for this info. I will pay attention to him and hope he has the right opportunity at the right time. So many get to the door but fail to find the key.

      I still believe giving your seat time when your team is struggling, to another young hopeful delutes the ability of the teams main drivers to master the potential capability of that car.

      Grow and go young Leclerc…

      1. That’s the problem with having virtually no testing these days.

    5. He looks like Esteban Gutiérrez

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