Arthur Leclerc gets first taste of Formula 3

©FIAFormula3

Fresh from a remarkable triple win last weekend in the Formula Regional European Championship at Mugello, Arthur Leclerc was up and running on Monday in Barcelona.

The 19-year-old brother of Scuderia charger Charles Leclerc was at the Circuit de Catalunya to enjoy his first taste of F3, conducted with his Formula regional PREMA team on day 1 of the FIA Formula 3 Championship's post-season test.

As he got accustomed to his new mount in the opening session, Leclerc clocked in P14, but less than a second adrift from pace-setter Matteo Nannini, the nephew of former F1 driver Alessandro Nannini.

©FIAFormula3

"This morning was quite difficult," commented the Monegasque. "The car is new, and the track is new as well, so there were a lot of things to discover. The management of the tyres is the key so we will continue to work on that.

"There is a lot of aero and you can bring a lot more speed into the entry of corners," he added.

“It is really, really important to warm up the tyres in order to have a proper push lap, so there is a lot more work to do."

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.