Both drivers from the Leclerc family have played crucial roles within the Maranello-based team for an extended period. Following the footsteps of his brother, Charles Leclerc’s younger brother, Arthur Leclerc, joined the Ferrari Drivers Academy in 2020 to nourish his racing career.
However, recent changes were introduced to the drivers’ development program for Ferrari. As a result, Arthur’s role within the academy has faced a significant shift.
Arthur Leclerc’s role in Ferrari?
Arthur Leclerc has been a noteworthy member of the Ferrari family and competed for DAMS in the last Formula 2 season. However, surprising news surfaced indicating that he won’t be driving in F2 for the 2024 season as part of the Ferrari Drivers’ Academy.
Despite this change, he will remain an integral part of Ferrari’s core family. The decision was unexpectedly prompted by the appointment of Jock Clear as the leader of the program, as chosen by Marco Mantassa.
🔴 Arthur is joining Fuoco and Rigon in the role of Development Driver. The job entails mainly working in the simulator, on car development, set-up work and updates introduced.
— Arthur Leclerc Fan page 🇲🇨 (@ALeclercF2_Fan) January 27, 2024
– Arthur is also racing this year in the Italian GT championship in a Scuderia Baldini 27. pic.twitter.com/1YMIB04eeJ
In the previous season, Arthur Leclerc’s performance fell short, securing only a P15 finish, which is below the expected standard. Despite this, Ferrari chose not to part ways with him. Instead, they reassigned him to a new role as a development driver.
In this position, he will be involved in tasks related to car development, simulator setup, and staying updated as the season progresses. Working in this capacity, he will also have the opportunity to collaborate with Ferrari talents such as Davide Rigon and Antonio Fuoco.
Oliver Bearman joins Ferrari
Ferrari has opted to bring on board an 18-year-old talent as a reserve driver for the 2024 season. Given the demanding and continuous race schedules in the 2024 Formula 1 season, Ferrari sees the need to have an additional reserve position available.
As both reserve drivers, Antonio Giovinazzi and Robert Shwartzman, will be occupied with commitments in the marque’s World Endurance Championship Hypercar program, they may not be readily available as standby reserves during the races.
— Arthur Leclerc Fan page 🇲🇨 (@ALeclercF2_Fan) January 27, 2024
Ferrari has brought on board Oliver Bearman as a result. In the previous year, Bearman achieved an impressive sixth place in the drivers’ standings, securing three feature race wins and one sprint race win. Furthermore, during the 2022 Formula 3 season with PREMA, he earned a commendable third-place finish in the championship. Given his string of victories, Ferrari has chosen to enlist this young talent from Formula 2 as a reserve driver starting this season.
Do you think Oliver Bearman could be further promoted to a higher position in the near future? Tell us in the comment section below!
