Charles Leclerc interview on life lessons, his journey to F1 and future goals

04/08/2024 17:24

Charles Leclerc is a driver who, since his debut with Ferrari, has attracted attention and pressure that many might envy. In a recent interview given to “The Gentleman’s Journal,” Charles Leclerc opened up, recounting his season from Monaco to today.

The choice to start this long interview with the Monaco Grand Prix is no coincidence. The driver has often expressed the desire, shared with his father, to race and triumph in this event. The Grand Prix had long been marred by errors and misfortunes that denied him victory, until the triumph of May 26, 2024.

On Sunday, May 26, 2024, in Monte Carlo, an unforgettable event occurred for Charles Leclerc. It was the moment when the Monegasque Ferrari driver crossed the finish line first in his home Grand Prix. A 93-year wait ended with Charles Leclerc becoming the second Monegasque Formula 1 driver to triumph on the home circuit, following in the footsteps of Louis Chiron, winner in 1931.

“In reality, officially, I am the first,” interrupts the 26-year-old, smiling in the bright mirror of the studio dressing room, a few steps from Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello, Italy. “At the time, it wasn’t yet Formula 1.”

At the same time, Charles Leclerc confides and admits that when things don’t go according to his wishes, he feels hatred towards his life. Such a sentiment may seem extreme, but it is understandable, considering he is an athlete engaged in one of the world’s riskiest sports and aspires to become world champion.

“I still have those moments when I feel guilty,” he admits, getting out of the car and returning under the spotlight. “When there are two or three consecutive races that go so badly, you can hate your life. And in those moments, I always remind myself how lucky I am to do what I do.”

Recalling the story that significantly marked his life and career, he states: “I lied to my father, saying I had fainted. I told him I was sick, but it wasn’t true, I just didn’t want to go to school, and he believed me, so he had to keep me with him.”

“By coincidence, he had to visit his best friend, Philippe Bianchi, who at the time managed a kart track an hour and a half from Monaco, and I went with him.”

When Leclerc arrived, he found a kart that had already been set up for a child of a similar age, got in, and took a lap. “From that moment on, it was clear that I wanted to do it,” he recounts.

In the following years, Charles Leclerc began to collect successes. He became the youngest winner of the French karting championship in 2009, GP3 champion in 2016, Formula 2 champion in 2017, and secured a seat in Formula 1 in 2018.

Since he started racing, as he himself confesses, he has set four goals: to enter Formula 1, to race with Ferrari, to win the Monaco Grand Prix, and to become world champion. He has already achieved three of these goals, but the most significant, becoming world champion, is still a work in progress.

Let’s not forget the latest achievement: the third milestone reached. The victory in Monaco, which the Ferrari driver calls “the most special moment of my entire career” and “the only time I was overwhelmed by emotion before crossing the finish line.”

“Winning in Monaco, my home country, on the streets where I took the bus to school every morning when I was a child, and seeing all the people who really matter to me around the track – all my childhood friends, all my teachers, and all my family – was extremely special. Even though it only awards 25 points, like every other victory, emotionally it was everything.”

Roots are fundamental, as is remembering what Charles Leclerc has achieved and who enabled him to reach his current position.

“My father did everything and showed me all the steps I needed to take to get to Formula 1,” he recalls fondly. “He was so passionate and obviously wanted the best for me, and as soon as he saw that I liked it, which was his priority, he made sure to give me the right advice to succeed in this sport.” In addition to his father, Leclerc cites the legendary driver Ayrton Senna as a source of inspiration, as well as his late godfather and racing companion Jules Bianchi. “He was the son of my father’s best friend who managed the kart track the day I tried for the first time,” explains Charles Leclerc. “He helped me in my career until, unfortunately, he had an accident in 2014 in Japan.”

Despite his age, Ferrari’s leading man has had to come to terms with the loss of two of his closest allies during his life. Ten years ago, Leclerc’s godfather, Jules Bianchi, died from injuries sustained when his car hit a recovery vehicle during the Japanese Grand Prix. Not long after, Charles Leclerc’s father, Hervé, passed away due to illness in 2017, a few days before Leclerc triumphed in the Formula 2 race in Baku and went on to win the championship the same year.

“The people I lost were the ones who wanted the best for me, and every time I asked myself ‘what would they want me to do?’ the answer was pretty quick: my father would want me to put on the helmet and go win races,” he says candidly.

“You can mentally prepare for many things, especially in my professional life, like being focused and relaxed in intense situations,” he explains, mentally training for these scenarios since he was young. “But nothing really prepares you for a very difficult personal moment that you have to face.”

Just before his father died, Leclerc had lied, telling him he had secured a spot in Formula 1. “I knew how important it was for us, and we had made the whole journey together. It was very difficult for me to accept that he would leave before I signed my first F1 contract.”

It was only a matter of months before Leclerc’s good intentions became reality when a contract from the Sauber F1 Team, affiliated with Ferrari, arrived for the 2018 season.

“At first, I was very angry with myself for lying to him, but then, fortunately, I signed the actual contract right after he passed. I was achieving my dream, but I was also very happy not to have lied to him in the end.”

For Leclerc, the dream became even more vivid when he received a call from Maurizio Arrivabene, former Ferrari team principal. “The first thing he said was: ‘Oh, Charles, we’re sorry, but we won’t be taking you for the Ferrari seat.'”

“I was very sad, but in a way, I expected it because it was early in my career.” Then, there was a 15-second pause before he said: “I’m just kidding. Next year you’ll be part of the team.”

The dream of winning the Formula 1 world championship persists. The Monegasque driver is more determined than ever, especially now that he faces a considerable challenge represented by Lewis Hamilton, who will be his new teammate starting in 2025.

“It will be incredible to have Lewis on the team and, of course, to be able to have such an amazing champion on my own team, with the same car,” says Leclerc.

“Firstly, it will be a great opportunity to learn from one of the best ever,” says Leclerc. “Secondly, I think it will also be an extraordinary opportunity for me to show what I’m capable of, so I can’t wait.”

Despite the enthusiasm for Ferrari’s new hire, Leclerc will find himself in March next year confronting a man widely considered the GOAT of motorsport. A veteran of this sport, who won his first world championship when Leclerc was only 11 years old.

“Growing up, being on kart tracks every weekend, it was hard for me to follow a Formula 1 season, so I watched some races, and he was definitely one of the drivers I admired,” admits Leclerc.

“In the first year [in F1], I remember being super impressed and intimidated by all these amazing drivers, and Lewis is probably the best around, so being able to race with him was crazy.”

Will Charles be lenient with the newcomer while dealing with his first new team in more than ten years? “No, of course not,” he says clinically. “No, no, no: when I put on the helmet, there’s none of that anymore. You change, you don’t think about who is who, and you go ahead.

“Now I’m racing with Lewis, so I have to forget a bit about the names inside the paddock and focus only on my performance when I’m on the track.”

At least in the coming weeks and months, there’s work to be done at Ferrari and also for the Monegasque driver. After a great start to the season, culminating in the victory in Monaco, his form has faltered. Despite maintaining third place in the championship standings, he is still far from reaching the ever-dominant Max Verstappen.

“For now, we’re not yet where we want to be in terms of performance, but we’re working hard. I’m confident the future is bright with the team and the way we’re working. But certainly, with the situation we’re in at the moment, I wish we had a winning car.”

It can be said that Charles Leclerc has earned an enviable reputation in Formula 1 and the world of sports in general. Growing up quickly in his young years with a distinctive style, Monaco’s destined one still has a long way to go. Will he stay in the sport for years to come, just like his new teammate? He hopes so, at least until he achieves the fourth goal of his life.

“My goal, together with Ferrari, is to become the Formula 1 world champion, and that’s it.

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