Ferrari enrolls Arthur Leclerc into its Driver Academy!

Arthur Leclerc may soon follow in the footsteps of his illustrious brother following Ferrari's decision to sign the 18-year-old hopeful to its prestigious driver academy.

Charles Leclerc's younger brother took part last season in the German F4 championship, scoring seven podiums and a win in the competitive feeder series.

Arthur's enrollment into the Ferrari Driver Academy is accompanied by a campaign in the 2020 Formula Regional European Championship with Prema Powerteam, the outfit for which Charles Leclerc won the 2017 European Formula 2 Championship.

At Prema, Leclerc will race alongside fellow FDA member, Brazilian Gianluca Petecof.

Biker Leclerc gets a set of customized two wheels

"I am really happy to announce that I will drive in Formula Regional with one of the best teams in junior series," said Arthur Leclerc.

"I did my very first test in single seaters with Prema two years ago and I have always dreamed to race with them.

"This great opportunity comes with another big chance for me, as I am proud to announce that I am joining the Ferrari Driver Academy.

"I am very grateful for the support and the trust given to me. I cannot wait to be back in the racing seat."

Prema team principal Angelo Rosin says Leclerc is "an outstanding addition" to the team.

"We are absolutely looking forward to having him in our talent pool," Rosin said.

"In the early stages of his career he made the most out his chances to race, so we are confident about the potential for 2020 especially given how we saw him perform as a contender.

"He is an outstanding addition to the team, and our side we are determined to work as hard as we can to make the difference for our drivers."

In addition to Arthur Leclerc Ferrari has also added 16-year-old hopeful Dino Beganovic he showed his class in karting, with two Swedish titles already to his name and a second place in the WSK Euro Series in 2019.

The Swede will be making his single-seater debut, with Formula 4 as the natural first step. He too will come under the wing of the Prema Powerteam.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.