Ferrari drivers make voice-over debut in Disney's 'Lightyear'

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Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will make their movie voice-over debut in the upcoming Disney and Pixar computer animated production 'Lightyear'.

The Scuderia pair lent their voice to two characters in the Toy Story spinoff that will tell the origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy, as the legendary Space Ranger is marooned on a hostile planet 4.2 million light-years from Earth.

Leclerc and Sainz did voice-overs for the production's Italian and Spanish language versions, but their respective characters will be kept secret until the movie's release in theatres next month.

©Ferrari

"It was my first voice acting cameo," Leclerc said. "It was a completely different experience from what I have done in the past. It was a bit strange and much harder than I thought.

"It was a great experience, and I can't want to see the final result."

To find out which character they play, fans will have to wait for the film to go on release, on 15 June in Italy and 17 June in Spain.

Pixar Animation Studios, which was founded by the late Steve Jobs and acquired by Disney in 2006, has called upon F1's stars in the past to lend their voices to various characters.

Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel were part of part of the Cars franchise, voicing characters in the native languages

"Going into space, as Buzz did, is definitely one of my dreams," revealed Leclerc. "It is a goal maybe one day I will fulfil."

In the meantime, Leclerc's hopes he'll be on cloud nine this weekend for his home race in Monaco.

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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.