Leclerc dreaming of Le Mans bid with brother Arthur

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Charles Leclerc has put the Le Mans 24 Hours on his bucket list, and the five-time Grand Prix winner wants to tackle the endurance classic with his younger brother, Arthur.

Leclerc has taken a keen interest in Le Mans ever since Ferrari announced its Hypercar programme in the World Endurance Championship.

And witnessing the Italian manufacturer's triumph in the event last June only boosted his enthusiasm for competing at the Circuit de la Sarthe at some point in the future.

For Leclerc, if such a project comes to fruition, there would be no better partner in crime than his brother Arthur, a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy who currently races in the FIA Formula 2 Championship.

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"It's definitely something I want to do one day, and with my brother for sure. But I don't know if this will happen," he told Motorsport.com.

As for the third driver who would qualify as a perfect teammate, Leclerc singled out his good friend and current works Ferrari driver, Antonio Fuoco.

"There's Antonio also, he's part of the Ferrari family," he said. "He is one of my best friends and we grew up together. He is already training for that day!

"Let's see if it's possible and if it works out with all of our plans, because we obviously all race in different categories. But maybe one day."

This year, Ferrari's 499P achieved its remarkable win on its Le Mans debut, the Hypercar machine delivering to the Italian manufacturer its tenth overall victory in the endurance classic and its first triumph in the race since 1965!

"It feels absolutely amazing, especially having a Ferrari winning," Leclerc said after the race last June when asked about his first visit to Le Mans.

"It’s an incredible return after so many years, it’s a very special edition.

"I was here to support, and I’m really happy anyway that Ferrari won, and it was an incredible experience."

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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.