Charles Leclerc’s brother climbs up ladder towards Formula 1 with F2 2023 drive

Arthur Leclerc, brother of Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, will take his first steps into Formula 2 next season with DAMS.

Charles has shown already what is possible for a racer as part of the Ferrari Driver Academy, having won the GP3 and F2 titles in back-to-back seasons ahead of his Formula 1 debut in 2018, a season with Sauber setting him up to then join the Ferrari team.

Now Artur is looking to follow in the footsteps ofhis brotherafter securing a seat in Formula 2 with DAMS for the 2023 campaign.

Leclerc ended the 2022 Formula 3 season P6 in the standings, a race win at Silverstone and a P2 finish in Bahrain his highlights. That was his second season in the category.

Leclerc also claimed the 2022 Formula Regional Asian Championship title, winning four races and claiming a further five podiums.

DAMS, who finished P6 in the 2022 F2 Teams’ standings with two race wins, will give Leclerc his first outing as part of the F2 post-season test in Abu Dhabi from 23-25 November.

The DAMS team is owned by former Formula 1 driver Charles Pic, who made 39 starts across stints with Marussia and Caterham.

“I’m delighted to be making the step up to Formula 2 with DAMS in 2023,” said Leclerc. “They’re a very successful team that has achieved great results in the championship, and I hope I can be a part of that and continue the team’s success.

“Charles Pic has done an amazing job to help the team back to winning ways throughout the season and I’m aiming to keep that going next year.

“We’ve a lot of work to do before the start of the new campaign in Bahrain in March, and I’m really looking forward to getting started in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi!”

Pic added: “It’s great to have Arthur join DAMS for 2023. We’ve seen his talent and skill throughout his career so far, and he’s shown in the last two years in F3 that he’s capable of challenging for victories.

“We’re excited to have him in the car for the post-season test in Abu Dhabi, preparing for next season. The team is aiming for a strong campaign in 2023, and we’ve no doubt that the addition of Arthur will help us towards our goals.”

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