Leclerc wants to try bikes after MotoGP visit

Charles Leclerc says he wants to try riding a MotoGP bike in future after visiting the Italian GP at Mugello on Sunday.

The Ferrari driver was a guest of the fellow Phillip Morris-backed Ducati team in Italy, making his first trip to a MotoGP race. Speaking to MotoGP’s official website, the 21-year-old says the experience has left him wanting more of a taste of riding on two wheels, although admits he’d need time to prepare for such a powerful bike.

“It’s very impressive, my first time in MotoGP,” Leclerc said. “Just to see the speed they are going through the corners on two wheels is just incredible. I had one day left, one day free (before the Canadian Grand Prix) so I decided to come here, it’s always good fun.

“I did (drive at Mugello) back in Formula 3, but now being here for the first time I absolutely want to try one of those bikes. I cannot go and ride with these bikes straight away, but maybe to train with some bikes on track is the target now.”

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Leclerc is not the only current Formula 1 driver with a taste for MotoGP, as championship leader Lewis Hamilton visited the season-opening round in Qatar and has recently tested a World Superbike.

In the other direction, Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa both tested a Toro Rosso-liveried 2012 Red Bull as part of a Honda event at the Red Bull Ring last year, while Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo have also tried F1 machinery in the past.