F1: Charles Leclerc's rise through junior years

GP 3 Series | 2016

Leclerc exults after scoring a pole at Spielberg, Red Bull Ring

The performances in Formula 3 were rewarded with a jump to the GP 3 series with a seat in the Asia Team Racing (ART) founded by Frédéric Vasseur and Nicolas Todt. Todt has taken Leclerc in his management fold and has been instrumental in getting his protégé driver with the drives to showcase his potential.

Leclerc won the 2016 drivers' title after the first race in the final round in Abu Dhabi. He edged out Alexander Albon to the championship. En route, he won at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Red Bull Ring, and Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, while nabbing four pole positions during the season.

Other notable ART drivers from the recent past who have moved on to Formula 1 include Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Valtteri Bottas, Nico Hülkenberg, Romain Grosjean, Esteban Ocon and Stoffel Vandoorne. The Monégasque stepped up to the opportunity and was quickly deemed as the star of the future.