Arthur Leclerc will always remember his first time

©Ferrari

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©Ferrari

Arthur Leclerc woke up at the crack of dawn on Tuesday in Barcelona buzzing with excitement and anticipation, but the thrill likely went into overload as he was strapped into Ferrari’s SF-75 for his maiden run onboard an F1 machine.

Like his brother, Ferrari charger Charles Leclerc, the 23-year-old has been pursuing a career in motorsports since his childhood. And like Charles, taking to the track at the wheel of a Ferrari F1 car was a dream come true for Arthur.

“It was just amazing, an incredible experience, the car feels so fast, it’s nothing like I’ve experienced before,” he said. “It was just crazy!”

“If you would have told me six years ago, before I started motorsport, that I would have done a day in Formula 1 and on the same track as my brother, I think I would have gone crazy.

“Just so happy to have done it!”

Arthur Leclerc will always remember his first time.

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.