Leclerc to replace unwell Vettel in testing

Michelle Foster 19 Feb 2020 12:15 PM

Sebastian Vettel

Ferrari has had an unplanned change of schedule to its testing line-up after Sebastian Vettel fell ill on Wednesday morning.

The four-time World Champion was down to put in the laps in the SF1000 at the Circuit de Catalunya on Wednesday when pre-season testing began.

However, Ferrari reported a change in line-up as the German is “not feeling great”.

Instead Charles Leclerc, who was meant to test on Thursday, will drive the car on the opening day.

#F1Testing Change of plan: #Seb5 not feeling great this morning so #Charles16 is taking over driving duties for the day. pic.twitter.com/md4WEhnUm1

— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 19, 2020

Both drivers were present at the circuit on Wednesday morning for a group photograph for the class of 2020.

Lining up two-by-two on the start line the jokes about not quite the sprint race one had in mind came thick and fast.

https://twitter.com/AaronGillard_17/status/1230036544657989632

This season Ferrari is looking to wrestle the titles away from Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes with many predicting that Leclerc could be one of the main contenders.

The two-time grand prix winner shook hands with the six-time World Champion prior to the start of Wednesday’s antics.