Arthur Leclerc: "I would like to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans"

The Rookie Test WEC has filled up with young pilots from the car Sunday, from Victor Martins to Theo Pourchaire passing by Frederik Vesti or Arthur Leclerc. The Monegasque has taken his place in the Ferrari 499P n°50. To the great delight of the recent Italian GT champion with the Prancing Horse brand.

The younger brother of Charles Leclerc even distinguished himself by setting the best time among beginners in 1:50.460, with 61 laps covered. It was a good day, smiled the youngest of the family. It was essential to get to know the car, because it is completely different to what I am used to driving. So it is a learning process, but I think I did well. The team gave me the necessary support. It is really special to be behind the wheel of the Ferrari Hypercar, which has been my dream team since I was young. »

The opportunity for him to discover a brand new car, very different from what he has known until now, and even from the Oreca 07 that he drove this season in European Le Mans Series with Panis Racing. The LM P2 is a little lighter, believes Leclerc. In the fast corners it also feels a bit faster, but the Hypercar pushes a lot on the straights. It's a completely different way of driving. Small mistakes can be very costly in a Hypercar. Everything is a bit heavier and a bit more time-consuming. So it's a real challenge to drive this car. »

Even though he didn't have much time to do the simulator before going to Bahrain, Arthur Leclerc had fun behind the wheel of the Italian LMH. I felt very good with the car. Everything went well. I struggled a bit with the traffic. I couldn't do a single clear lap at the end of the day. Ferrari is doing an extraordinary job. I mean it's not the first year they've been running this car and you can feel it behind the wheel. It's a good car that gives you confidence to attack. »

Will he be a regular in 2025 at Ferrari in WEC? Antonello Coletta denied this rumor during the last Finali Mondiali organized in Imola. The Monegasque nevertheless hopes for a future in Endurance for him. I really hope to drive a Hypercar one day. It could be next year, in two years, in three years, it doesn't matter. I would like to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans one day, even more so with Ferrari. »

For the next season of the World Endurance Championship, the Maranello firm will rely on the same crews as this year in the two official cars. In the #83, only newcomer Phil Hanson has been announced so far, while Robert Shwartzman has officially taken over the management of Prema in IndyCar.

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