Written by Fatima Ahmed, edited by Harshi Vashee
Since Charles Leclerc’s Formula 1 debut in 2018, he has quickly become a fan favourite across the world. Stamping his mark in the sport when he took back-to-back wins laced in the historic scarlet red overalls of Ferrari.
However, up until 2020, many people were unaware of the existence of his younger brother Arthur. Three-years his junior, Arthur postponed his motorsport dreams as their father could only support one of them. Suddenly at fourteen, with help from his uncle, Arthur found himself in a kart. Taking part in the French National Series, he won the championship as a rookie.
From 2018 to 2019 he raced in the French and ADAC Formula 4 championships, coming fifth and second respectively. An impressive feat considering he had less experience than the others. The next year, like Charles, he was signed into the Ferrari Driver Academy, participating in the Formula Regional European Championship. It was during this season Arthur really shone, taking seven poles, six wins, and fifteen podiums. Arthur finished second, losing the championship by sixteen points.
In 2021, he made his debut in Formula 3, racing for Prema. Despite finishing an overall tenth in the championship, Arthur displayed an overtaking ability that more than made up for his poor qualifying. Consistently slicing his way through the field saw Arthur being praised for who he is rather than who his brother is.
While racing in the European Championship, commentators often referred to him as ‘Little Leclerc’. Although not meant to be harmful, it can no doubt lead to unnecessary pressure as Arthur constantly pushes himself to be the best he can.
Currently in his second season of Formula 3, Arthur’s overtaking ability has not diminished, starting P13 and finishing P2 he now sits one point behind the championship leader following the first round. Having already taken his first single-seater championship earlier this year, the Formula Regional Asian Championship, Arthur looks to make it a second one this year.
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