Venturi Formula E has confirmed that Arthur Leclerc, brother of Charles Leclerc, will join Norman Nato in the all-electric single seater series' rookie test in Marrakesh next weekend.
Leclerc, 18, made his open-wheel debut last year after having a disjointed karting career, finishing in fifth in the French Formula 4 championship with a pair of victories and one pole position.
As part of Monaco-based Venturi's recently-formed driver academy, Leclerc already has some experience behind the wheel of fully-electric machinery, testing one of the team's first-generation Formula E cars at the Ales circuit last year.
"I'm honoured to be selected by Venturi and as a Monegasque, it's particularly special for me," he said.
"I will dedicate myself completely to the team in their quest to optimise the Venturi VFE-05 and I'm very grateful for the opportunity to drive this outstanding car again.
"Formula E is a pioneering, inventive and young championship, and one in which I am very keen to play an active part.
"I'm fortunate to be involved in it at such an early stage in my career and I want to thank Gildo [Pastor, Venturi President] and Susie [Wolff, Team Principal] for believing in me."
Forming the second half of Venturi's rookie driver line-up will be reserve driver Nato, who switched to sportscar racing in 2018 after leaving Formula 2 at the end of 2017, racing in the European Le Mans Series and the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
"Arthur has shown promise in karting and F4 and I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets on in Marrakesh," said Wolff.
"Both he and Norman, alongside Simona [de Silvestro, who tested for Venturi in Ad Diriyah], will both play a very valuable role at this early stage of the season where critical development can take place.
"We took home some key learnings in Ad Diriyah, we have plenty of work ahead over the coming races, rookie tests like these give the team important opportunities to improve."
Formula E's second of three in-season tests during the 2018/19 campaign will take place on January 13, one day after the Marrakesh E-Prix.
