Two Debutants Ready To Go

With the Melbourne Grand Prix opening the 2018 season on Sunday, we introduce the two drivers that will be making their debuts in the sport.

Age: 20
Nationality: Monégasque
F1 Team: Sauber
Championship Titles: FIA Formula 2 Championship 
                               GP3 Series

Leclerc has demonstrated plenty of potential winning two championship titles in the last two years. He was also a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy so despite being just 20, he has plenty of experience to draw upon. 

His father, Herve Leclerc was also a racing driver performing well in F3 throughout the 1990’s.

One of his best friends was Jules Bianchi whose father’s track was where he first got the chance to drive.

Previewing his F1 debut, Leclerc said: “I am really looking forward to being in Melbourne.

“The first race of the season is always exciting for a driver, but this being the first Formula One Grand Prix of my career makes the occasion even more special.

“Melbourne is a lovely city that I discovered when I came to watch the Australian GP last year. Driving on the circuit in Albert Park will be a new experience for me and I look forward to the challenge.

“Over the past few weeks, I have got to know the team well, learned all of the relevant procedures, and was able to get a first impression of the new C37 during winter testing.

“I am eager to spend a full race weekend in the car and work with the team to understand how we can maximise our potential.”

Age: 22
Nationality: Russian
F1 Team: Williams
Championship titles: Formula Abarth European Series

When the lights go out on Sunday, Sirotkin will become just the third Russian Formula One driver. Vitaly Petrov and Daniil Kvyat the two coming before him.

At age seven, Sergey was already surging towards a motorsport career as he took his first steps into karting. At just 11 years old, he had won his first karting championship.

Sergery then went onto to catch Sauber’s eyes through impressive performances in Auto GP, Formula 3 and Renault 3.5. Sauber signed him as their test driver for 2014. A year later, he finished as the highest placed rookie in GP2.

Last season, Sirotkin featured in Free Practise 1 sessions for Renault which is where Williams spotted the Russian and selected him to become Felipe Massa’s replacement.