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Charles Leclerc will make his debut as an official Ferrari Formula 1 driver in next week’s Abu Dhabi test and believes it will be a “special” and “emotional” experience.
Leclerc has tested for Ferrari before, including completing a run at Monza earlier this year, but not since the team confirmed him as a race driver for 2019.
His outing in the Pirelli tyre test next week has been a formality for some time, but not officially confirmed.
“It’s going to be pretty special to go for the first time as a race driver in an official test in a Ferrari,” said Leclerc.
“It will be quite emotional.
“It’s two different teams and I always struggle to compare two cars because they have different balances and are driven differently.
“I’m definitely looking forward to trying it.”
Leclerc will be swapping places at the test with outgoing Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen, who will drive for Sauber.
Raikkonen’s Sauber test was confirmed earlier in the Abu Dhabi weekend.
Several drivers will be getting experience with their new 2019 teams next week.
Pierre Gasly will step up from the Toro Rosso team to test with Red Bull.
Current Renault driver Carlos Sainz Jr and Formula 2 graduate Lando Norris have been confirmed at McLaren, likewise F1 race returnee Robert Kubica and F2 champion George Russell at Williams.
Daniil Kvyat will make his Toro Rosso comeback and is thought likely to be partnered by the team’s test driver Sean Gelael, not expected 2019 STR driver Alexander Albon.
Another F2 driver, Artem Markelov, will test again for Renault, alongside Nico Hulkenberg – Daniel Ricciardo wanted to drive for his 2019 team but his current employer Red Bull has rejected that move.
Lance Stroll is expected to drive for Racing Point Force India, which he will join from Williams, but that has not been confirmed.
New faces in new places
The drivers appearing for their new 2019 teams in next week’s test
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc
Red Bull: Pierre Gasly
Williams: Robert Kubica, George Russell
McLaren: Carlos Sainz Jr, Lando Norris
Sauber: Kimi Raikkonen, Antonio Giovinazzi