Charles and Arthur Leclerc to become first brothers to drive an F1 session as team mates for Ferrari in Abu Dhabi FP1

Charles Leclerc will enjoy an emotional FP1 session in Abu Dhabi with his younger brother Arthur set to drive alongside him for Ferrari – marking the first time brothers have taken part in an F1 session as team mates.

Arthur Leclerc, 24, will be turning out for the Scuderia in the first practice session at the Yas Marina Circuit in place of Carlos Sainz, fulfilling the team's second and final mandated rookie driver session this year.

FIA regulations state that all F1 drivers must sit out one FP1 each season for a rookie who has no more than two Grand Prix starts, with Leclerc making way for incoming Haas driver Ollie Bearman back in Mexico.

However, with Bearman having now taken part in a third Grand Prix since then – the Brit subbed in for an unwell Kevin Magnussen at Haas in Brazil – it meant Ferrari would have to select a different driver to complete their FP1 obligations.

As a result, Arthur Leclerc will get a chance behind the wheel of the SF-24 alongside his eight-time race-winning brother in what is sure to be a special moment for the family.

Having raced in Formula 2 last year, ending the season 15th in the standings with 10 points finishes and a podium appearance in Melbourne, Arthur has spent 2024 acting as Development Driver for Ferrari.

In his role he supports the team in the simulator at their Maranello base, while he has also been racing a Ferrari 296 GT3 in the Italian GT championship, entered by Scuderia Baldini 27. Additionally, the Monegasque has also turned out in the European Le Mans Series with Panis Racing this year.

The first practice session of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, the final one of the 2024 F1 season, gets underway at 1330 local time on Friday, December 6.