Ferrari goes Red-White as Leclerc Brothers Reunited for Abu Dhabi

As the 2025 Formula 1 season draws to a close at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a familiar — and much-loved — pairing returns to the track. For the first practice session (FP1) at the Yas Marina Circuit, Ferrari has confirmed that Arthur Leclerc will step into the cockpit, replacing Lewis Hamilton.

This marks the second consecutive year that Arthur will drive alongside his older brother Charles Leclerc during an official F1 session — a family moment that resonated with fans last season and remains a rare sight in the sport.

“Charles and I are very happy to be driving again together in FP1,” Arthur said ahead of the session. “It’s very exciting to be in a car on the other side of the garage from him.”

The decision to field Arthur in FP1 is not just sentimental — it’s regulatory. Under the 2025 season rules, each F1 team must give rookie drivers (defined as drivers with no more than two Grand Prix starts) at least two FP1 outings per car. Despite earlier substitutions this year with drivers such as Dino Beganović and Antonio Fuoco, Ferrari had yet to meet its requirement for Hamilton’s car. Abu Dhabi thus represents their final opportunity. 

For Arthur — who has not made his F1 race debut and continues to serve as a development driver for the team — this is a valuable chance to gain real-world track experience and contribute to the team’s data pool. 

For the first free practice (FP1), Ferrari placed Arthur behind the wheel of Lewis Hamilton’s car to fulfil the FIA rookie-run regulations. The result? A productive session that saw him finish P16, while Charles delivered an impressive performance, securing P3 on the timesheets.

Arthur’s path has been one of steady progression. Following a junior-formula career and multiple seasons in categories such as Formula 2 and GT racing, he now contributes to Ferrari’s development programme — often behind the wheel in simulators. 

Driving the real SF-25 at Yas Marina now allows him to cross the bridge from virtual sessions to real track conditions. As he put it, this on-track time is “always useful … to give better feedback to the engineers,” which may prove important as Ferrari continues fine-tuning its performance. 

For fans and followers from Monaco — Arthur’s home Principality — it’s also a moment of pride. The younger Leclerc once again carries Monaco’s flag into the paddock, reflecting the principality’s deep connection to motorsport and its rising stars.

Back in May 2025, in our feature article Experience is the biggest challenge, Arthur spoke candidly about the hurdles of building experience, maturity, and consistency on the track. Driving alongside his brother this weekend won’t just be a symbolic reunion — it’s a real opportunity for growth, validation, and a step forward in a career many expect to blossom soon.

The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix may decide championships — but for Arthur Leclerc, it’s much more than that. It’s a return to the spotlight, a chance to prove that behind the family name lies genuine talent and perseverance. For Monaco, it’s another chapter in a growing legacy of excellence on the world’s greatest circuits.