Charles Leclerc says he is expecting an “emotional” test with Ferrari next week, which will be his first since his 2019 works drive was confirmed.
Leclerc, 21, will step up from Sauber to Ferrari for 2019 – in place of Kimi Raikkonen – in just his second year of Formula 1.
Leclerc joined Ferrari’s young driver academy at the start of 2016 and went on to claim back-to-back titles in GP3 and Formula 2 before linking up with Sauber.
Leclerc tested Ferrari’s 2016 and 2017 cars during in-season testing and had his first taste of the SF71H during a filming day at Monza earlier in the summer.
Leclerc duly confirmed on Saturday evening that he will test the SF71H in public for the first time during next week’s post-race tyre test at the Yas Marina Circuit.
The Monegasque youngster is set to be one of several drivers to link up with their 2019 teams.
Kimi Raikkonen (Sauber), George Russell (Williams), Carlos Sainz Jr. (McLaren) are all set to test in new surroundings.
Lance Stroll, whose confirmation at Force India is expected within the next 48 hours, will also drive for his new team.
“I think it’s going to be pretty special to go for the first time as a race driver in an official test, in a Ferrari I think, [it’ll be] quite emotional,” said Leclerc.
Leclerc will start the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, his last for Sauber, from eighth position.
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