Charles Leclerc was given the opportunity of a lifetime at the Yas Marina Circuit, after being allowed to drive Ferrari’s sensational 2003 challenger, the F2003.
Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello used the F2003 for 12 rounds of the 2003 Formula 1 season, with the duo having claimed five pole positions, seven wins and 13 podiums between them.
Schumacher, of course, claimed his sixth World Drivers’ Championship whilst behind the wheel of the F2003, after managing to beat Kimi Raikkonen to the crown.
Interestingly, the car was previously sold at auction for an astonishing £13 million, making it the second-most valuable F1 car in history to be sold at auction.
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Whilst the F2003 is slower than the F1 cars of nowadays, the noise of the V10 engine is simply unbeatable, with Leclerc having turned the Yas Marina Circuit into a bowl of heavenly noise.
Former FIA president and the most successful Ferrari team boss in history Jean Todt was also in attendance, with the Frenchman having led the team to glory in 2003.
“Incredible day driving this 2003 beast in Abu Dhabi,” Leclerc wrote on an Instagram post, whilst he also posted a full onboard lap to Twitter.
The Monegasque driver’s attention will now have to switch from the Ferrari F2003 to the team’s 2023 challenger, which is set to be revealed next week.
Leclerc will be hoping for another strong package from the Maranello-based outfit, given the fact that they started the 2022 season with the best car on the grid.
The 25-year-old won two of the opening three races last season, before the errors started to take place; however, the likelihood is that the same mistakes won’t be made again should Leclerc find himself in a similar position.
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Ferrari’s star driver is entering the forthcoming season “prepared” for what he hopes will be a “longer fight” for the title, with Ferrari aiming to do all that they can to stop Red Bull and Max Verstappen from retaining their crowns.
“I think we all prepared for longer seasons, I hope it will be tight,” he told reporters, including PlanetF1.com.
“It’s always nice to have a fight until the end. I’m prepared for more races and for a longer fight hopefully.”