Arthur Leclerc tells about the new Ferrari driver - his brother
«Nothing destabilizes him, he becomes another one on track»
His first day as a grown driver was on sunday, in Marrakesh: Arthur Leclerc, the 18-year-old little brother of new Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, debuted on a Gen2 Formula E car in the tests following the e-prix. He drove a Venturi, and it's no small thing: «I am very excited - he had said before starting - and also very proud to be a monegasque driver driving for a monegasque team».
That's because Montecarlo has always been the home of many drivers, but Arthur, Charles and their father Hervé's story is different: they were actually born and raised in Monaco. So it's easy to imagine their pride in driving for a team of the Principality.
Unlike his brother, Arthur doesn't speak italian. «Charles didn't give me any advice for these tests - he said - the Formula E single-seaters are so different from the traditional ones that there wasn't much to suggest».
But in general of course the older brother gives his tips to the little brother. About driving: «He tells me to stay focused on me and on what I do, without thinking about the lap times. And to do what the team asks». But also on anything else. «He is always there, he helps me, but also wants me to grow with my own strenght». Arthur and Charles had to grow up together all of a sudden, after their father Hervé passed away one year and half ago. It was from him, Formula 3 driver, that they inherited the passion. Their paths on karts were similar. «Our life was always about racing. Usually together, on the Playstation or in real life, on track». To help Charles, thanks to Jules Bianchi's intercession, was the Todt family. «While I was helped by my uncle, with his Stajvelo», Arthur tells. It's Thierry Manni, who fabricates electric bikes with his company. That's also how "Little Leclerc" arrived in F4, last year, finishing the season at 5th place, with 2 wins, one in Magny-Cours, where it was Charles who awarded him on podium. Always him, his reference and model. «I really believe in him and his capacities - he says - so in the end I say yes, in Ferrari he will fight with the best ones from the start. What strikes me is his mental strenght. Nothing destabilizes him. Nothing and no one. When he puts the helmet on he becomes another Charles. Focused to the extreme, unflappable. It's a metamorphosis that impresses me».
And yet some advice would be possible even in the opposite direction, from the younger brother to the older. Arthur thought about it for a while and then ironically: «I could tell him to stay focused on him and not to think about the times...» Stop: and also to do what the team asks him? He laughs. «No come on: I am the youngest, I am not allowed to give advice». Maybe in two or three years. For now Arthur is in the Academy Venturi, his team principal (and team's shareholder) is Susie Wolff, Toto's wife. And who knows if the two brothers might end up being rivals on track sooner or later, like the Brambilla, the Fittipaldi. The Schumacher. A nice comparison, the Ferrari tifosi should fancy it.
