Leclerc revives Schumacher's title-winning F2003!

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Charles Leclerc – a proper custodian of Ferrari's rich heritage – never misses an opportunity to sample a Scuderia machine from a different era.

On Monday, the Monegasque was in Abu Dhabi where he enjoyed a track day at the wheel of Michael Schumacher's 2023 title-winning F2003.

Designed by a team of distinguished engineers that included among others Rory Byrne, James Allison and Aldo Costa, who all worked under the guidance of Ross Brawn, Ferrari's F2003 collected five wins in the hands of Schumacher while teammate Rubens Barrichello won two races with the naturally aspirated V-10 powered car.

Read also: Leclerc recalls day he was barred from entering Ferrari factory

Ferrari's F1 Clienti department, which manages the fleet of machines owned by well-heeled enthusiasts, had set up shop at Yas Marina at the initiative of the car's lucky owner, Swiss billionaire Thomas Flohr, the chief executive of private jet charter company and Ferrari partner VistaJet.

Leclerc took to the track as happy as a kid in a candy store under the watchful eye of Flohr but also of former Scuderia boss Jean Todt who was on site to witness the trip down memory lane.

Leclerc didn't hold back, manhandling the F2003 around Yas Marina and taken the precious prancing horse back to its glory days, and leaving everyone at the end of the day with just one thought: bring back the V8s!

Check out the onboard video hereunder.

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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.