Leclerc and Giovinazzi team up for virtual Le Mans

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F1 drivers Charles Leclerc and Antonio Giovinazzi will share a GTE-spec Ferrari 488 Evo in next month's virtual Le Mans 24 Hours.

The online endurance event organised by the ACO and the WEC keeps adding big names to its list of entrants with the F1 duo joining the likes of Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Pierre Gasly, Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso and many other pro drivers turned sim racers.

Leclerc and Giovinazzi will share their AF Corse entry with reigning F1 Esports champion David Tonizza and 2018 eRace of Champions Enzo Bonito.

Verstappen and Norris join forces for virtual Le Mans 24 Hours

Ferrari's Leclerc has emerged as an online star during Formula 1's hiatus, clinching two wins in Grand Prix racing's official virtual series run on Codemasters' platform.

While most of the Monegasque's colleagues will be racing at Le Mans in the top LMP2 category, Leclerc will be mixing it up with factory-backed entries from Corvette, Porsche and Aston Martin in the GTE class and a host of real-life Le Mans GTE Pro drivers.

Aston Martin's line-up will include Alex Lynn, Harry Tincknell, Nicki Thiim and Richard Westbrook while Corvette's virtual squad will field, among others, Jan Magnussen, Tommy Milner and Jordan Taylor.

The Virtual Le Mans will take place on June 13/14 on rFactor 2 and will be streamed live on all relevant channels.

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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.