Leclerc to replace unwell Vettel in testing

Michelle Foster 19 Feb 2020 12:15 PM

Sebastian Vettel

Ferrari has had an unplanned change of schedule to its testing line-up after Sebastian Vettel fell ill on Wednesday morning.

The four-time World Champion was down to put in the laps in the SF1000 at the Circuit de Catalunya on Wednesday when pre-season testing began.

However, Ferrari reported a change in line-up as the German is “not feeling great”.

Instead Charles Leclerc, who was meant to test on Thursday, will drive the car on the opening day.

#F1Testing Change of plan: #Seb5 not feeling great this morning so #Charles16 is taking over driving duties for the day. pic.twitter.com/md4WEhnUm1

— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 19, 2020

Both drivers were present at the circuit on Wednesday morning for a group photograph for the class of 2020.

Lining up two-by-two on the start line the jokes about not quite the sprint race one had in mind came thick and fast.

Starting testing & the 2020 F1 Season with, what looks like a sprint race wasn’t what I had in mind 👀😂 #F1 https://t.co/oPpVJVQbDn

— Aaron Gillard 🏁 (@AaronGillard_17) February 19, 2020

This season Ferrari is looking to wrestle the titles away from Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes with many predicting that Leclerc could be one of the main contenders.

The two-time grand prix winner shook hands with the six-time World Champion prior to the start of Wednesday’s antics.