Leclerc handed four FP1 runs with Sauber

Editor

Charles Leclerc has moved a step closer towards a possible F1 debut in 2018 with news that the Frenchman will contest four FP1 sessions this season.

Leclerc, a Ferrari junior, will drive the Sauber C36-Ferrari for the first time in FP1 for the Malaysian Grand Prix.

He will be back in action at the US Grand Prix, Mexico and Brazil.

The news of Leclerc’s FP1 runs comes in the wake of Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne stated that Sauber could become Ferrari’s “junior team” and a place to blood to the Scuderia’s young drivers.

Leclerc will replace Marcus Ericsson in Friday’s first practice at the Sepang circuit.