Ferrari F1 driver Leclerc’s younger brother seals Prema F3 seat for 2021

Arthur Leclerc, brother of Ferrari Formula 1 driver Charles, will step up to contest the Formula 3 Championship in 2021 with Prema.

The 20-year Monegasque racer joined the Italian outfit in 2020 as he finished runner-up in the Formula Regional European Championship behind fellow Ferrari Driver Academy member Gianluca Petecof despite claiming six wins.

Leclerc’s graduation to the F1-supporting FIA F3 series for 2021 was confirmed in an announcement on Tuesday.

“I am really happy to announce that I will step up to FIA F3 with Prema Racing next year,” Leclerc said. “I have quite a bit of experience with the team as it will be my second year with them and we established a special relationship.

“It will be a completely new challenge for me, a lot more drivers on the grid and a weekend format that looks really exciting! I can’t wait to start the season.”

It will be Leclerc’s fourth season in single-seaters after he graduated from karts to the French F4 Championship in 2018, before moving into the ADAC Formula 4 Championship the following year.

Leclerc was a race winner in both series prior to his most successful season to date in the regional version of the F3 championship.

Prema team principal Rene Rosin said: “I am delighted to welcome Arthur to our FIA Formula 3 operation. He experienced a high-quality season in 2020, ending up with more wins than anybody else in the Regional championship.

“His skills come with a dedicated approach to the hard work behind the scenes, which is clearly what we are looking for at this level. We can’t wait to start preparing for the season ahead!”