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          Charles Leclerc to take part in FP1 in Brazil

          Sutton Images
          • Lewis Larkam
          Nov 8, 2016, 11:38 AM

          Ferrari protege and GP3 championship leader Charles Leclerc will take part in opening practice for Haas at this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix.

          It will be the Monegasque's fourth Formula One practice outing deputising for Esteban Gutierrez, after previous FP1 appearances in Britain, Hungary and Germany. Leclerc was also due to participate in Friday practice for the American team in Malaysia but his scheduled run was cancelled after a late change to the GP3 timetable.

          The 19-year-old currently holds a comfortable 29-point margin over ART Grand Prix teammate Alexander Albon in the GP3 Series with just two races remaining in Abu Dhabi at the end of November.

          Haas boss Guenther Steiner has already ruled out Leclerc for a full-time F1 role with the team in 2017, even if he wins the GP3 title. Instead, Leclerc is set for a step up to GP2.

          Haas is also expected to trial the Halo cockpit protection device for the first time on Friday in Brazil, as well as testing out new Carbon Industrie brakes, following a series of failures and inconsistencies in recent races with current supplier Brembo.