via Getty
HOCKENHEIM, GERMANY – JULY 25: Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari walks the track with brother F4 driver Arthur Leclerc during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Germany at Hockenheimring on July 25, 2019 in Hockenheim, Germany. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)
via Getty
HOCKENHEIM, GERMANY – JULY 25: Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari walks the track with brother F4 driver Arthur Leclerc during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Germany at Hockenheimring on July 25, 2019 in Hockenheim, Germany. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)
In a recent development, Arthur Leclerc moved up to F2 despite having an outside top-5 finish in the F3 table. The F3 driver finished the 2022 FIA Formula 3 season in P6. Fans have called out the driver on the internet as they suspect favoritism over junior Leclerc’s F2 promotion since he’s the brother of F1 driver Charles Leclerc.
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The younger Monegasque who was promoted to F2, will race for DAMS next season. DAMS is an F2 team based in France and is headquartered two kilometers away from Bugatti Circuit. The Ferrari academy driver will join DAMS after spending two years at F3.
The fans primarily objected to the promotion, as Arthur Leclerc didn’t have much to show for in his F3 stints. After spending two years in the division, he finished the 2021 season in P10 and the 2022 season in P6. The 22-year-old competed in F3 with Prema Racing.
Fans react as Charles Leclerc’s brother is handed a promotion
Since Arthur Leclerc is the brother of Charles Leclerc, fans are of the opinion that his surname helped him to the promotion. Citing nepotism, the fans shared their reactions on social media as soon as the news broke out.
Fans also suspect that Charles Leclerc, who races for Scuderia Ferrari, recently finished in P2 in F1 driver’s standings and has been a Ferrari academy driver, had an active role to play in bringing his brother up in F2.
Given below are some of the reactions taken from Twitter.
Surname merchant
— gangster horner (@godlycultivator) November 21, 2022
Bad racecraft but let’s see.
— Jed (TheJGG) (@TheJGG01) November 21, 2022
@DanHatton97 Leclerc merchant
— Matt (@RealMattHatton) November 21, 2022
Underserved. Only because he has connections.
— Michael (@_michaelmng) November 21, 2022
The fans also had to say that there were better drivers in F3 who could have had the chance to go up in F2. They feel Arthur Leclerc is undeserving of an F2 debut as yet.
oh dear god i can’t escape surname merchant https://t.co/QMatWHkUcI
— ella 🧸 EUNIL DAY | covid era (@hw0nseok) November 21, 2022
6th? And he moved up?
— Breelzebub🏳️⚧️ (@BreannaJoMorga1) November 21, 2022
DRIVER ANNOUNCEMENT | 🇲🇨 Arthur Leclerc makes the step up to DAMS in Formula 2! The 22-year-old finished 6th in FIA F3 this year with Prema.#F2 pic.twitter.com/EWORQtJXKV
— F1 Feeder Series (@F1FeederSeries1) November 21, 2022
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Lol surname Counts ig
— Shrey33 (@Shreyyyyy10) November 21, 2022
As junior Leclerc is all set to race in FIA Formula 2 Championship next season, it’ll be interesting to see if he can manage to keep up with the expectations that come with the name. Since he has his big brother achieving big things in Former 1, the pressure will be relatively high on him to lift his family name further.
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WATCH THIS STORY: Butter Fingers Charles Leclerc Mocked for His Botch-Up While Playing Catch With Miami Marlins Superstar
Do you think Arthur Leclerc received a favor due to his surname?
