Arthur Leclerc given F3 seat for 2021

Finley Crebolder

It has been confirmed that Arthur Leclerc will be driving in the Formula 3 Championship next season for Prema Racing.

Arthur, the younger brother of Charles, spent 2020 driving in the Formula regional European Championship and was hugely impressive.

In 23 races, he took six wins, seven pole positions and 15 podiums, finishing the season in P2 with 343 points, being narrowly beaten to the title by Gianluca Petecof.

Both Leclerc and Petecof drove for Prema in that campaign, and the former has been chosen to drive for the team in F3 in 2021.

“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.”

In this year’s Formula 3 season, Prema won the Driver’s Championship courtesy of Oscar Piastri while also getting their hands on the Constructors’ Championship comfortably.

With Piastri moving up to the team’s Formula 2 outfit in 2021, a replacement was needed, and despite being beaten by the Brazilian in 2020, Leclerc was picked over Petecof.

“I am delighted to welcome Arthur to our FIA Formula 3 operation,” Prema team principal Rene Rosin said.

“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!”

Leclerc has driven F3 machinery once before, getting in the Prema car for a post-season test in Barcelona back in October.

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