Leclerc could join Ferrari for Silverstone F1 test
Charles Leclerc could test for Ferrari next week, on the back of a strong maiden first practice session for Haas at Silverstone on Friday.
The Monaco-based driver is part of Ferrari's young driver academy and has been handed a run of five practice sessions with partner team Haas to help his development.
Having finished Friday's session 18th overall, 1.3 seconds off Romain Grosjean, it is understood that Leclerc is in serious contention to join Ferrari for next week's post-British Grand Prix test.
The Maranello-based outfit used Sebastian Vettel for one day in the Barcelona test in May, so it must use at least one young driver for this week.
With Haas already having done a deal for American Santino Ferrucci to run on both days, Leclerc is free so could easily be drafted in by Ferrari.
When asked about the latest on the test plans for next week, Leclerc said the only definite for now was being back for Haas at the Hungaroring.
"For the moment it is not decided," he said about the Silverstone test. "But I will be in Hungary."
Leclerc also dismissed any suggestion he was being lined up as Kimi Raikkonen's potential replacement for 2018, in the wake of the Finn's new deal being announced for next year.
"I don't know where I will be in 2017 but I think to do a jump straightaway in a Ferrari will be quite a big jump," he said.
"I am not looking at that for the moment. I am focusing on this season and we will see later."
Amazing experience
Having completed his first practice session without any major drama, Leclerc was bubbling with enthusiasm about the experience.
"It was amazing," he said. "It is a dream come true since I was six years old. It has always been a dream for me to drive an F1 car and for me to do an official free practice is even more amazing, I cannot find the words to describe how happy I am now."
He admitted that the biggest surprise was the feel he got from the power steering – which made it difficult to perform in the high-speed corners.
"It is so much different to GP3," he said. "The power is amazing compared to a GP3 car, to what I am used to. These few things are the most impressive things.
"In fast corners there is still quite a lot of margin. I struggled quite a lot with the power steering, and lap after lap I was just feeling more the car. But I struggled a bit in the fast corners and Silverstone is full of fast corners."
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