Ferrari confirm Arthur Leclerc future following academy departure

Sam Cooper 27 Jan 2024 10:27 AM

Oliver Bearman and Arthur Leclerc have both been given new roles.

Arthur Leclerc has become Ferrari’s new development driver after he was released by the team’s academy, while Oliver Bearman is the new reserve driver.

Leclerc, brother of Ferrari star Charles, left the Ferrari academy at the end of 2023 but the team confirmed he would be “remaining part of the Ferrari family.”

The form that has taken has now been revealed with Leclerc taking on development driver duties for the Scuderia.

Arthur Leclerc given new Ferrari role alongside Oliver Bearman

Leclerc joins Antonio Fuoco and Davide Rigon as development drivers and will work in the simulator to help both his brother and Carlos Sainz.

Away from his development role, he will also be racing in the Italian GT championship in a Scuderia Baldini 27.

Young talent Bearman has also been given a new role as he becomes the team’s reserve driver, meaning that should either of Leclerc or Sainz be unavailable, the 18-year-old Briton may be given his F1 debut.

Bearman will continue to race in F2 where he was classified sixth in the 2023 Drivers’ standings with four victories.

The Prema racer is not the only reserve driver and will share the role with Antonio Giovinazzi and Robert Shwartzman, who are both competing in WEC this season.