Charles Leclerc, born in Monte Carlo on October 16, 1997, is a Formula 1 prodigy. In just a few years, he has risen from the karting circuits to the world’s elite, joining Ferrari in 2019. Young, daring and incredibly talented, he embodies the new generation of drivers, ready to make their mark on motorsport history. Here’s his story.
Credit : Scuderia Ferrari Photo Galleries – Italian Grand Prix 2024, Sunday
His profile
He is a Monegasque driver with Scuderia Ferrari and currently one of the key players in the 2024 Formula 1 season. He has put in a series of remarkable performances this year, including a long-awaited victory at his home Grand Prix in Monaco. Leclerc is currently third in the overall drivers’ standings with 192 points. His season has been marked by several podium finishes, and he remains a serious contender in the battle for the championship, despite the dominance of Max Verstappen (225 points) and now Lando Norris (295 points).
A breathtaking upward trajectory
The Monegasque began his karting career in 2005, where he immediately made a name for himself by winning the PACA regional championship with fifteen victories, seventeen pole positions and as many fastest laps. He was just 8 years old at the time. The following year, he confirmed his talent by once again dominating the MiniKart category with fourteen wins and seventeen pole positions.
[adrotate banner=”3″]
Get 10% off all official F1 Merch at TheRaceWorks.com using code ‘EF1‘ at checkout.
In 2007, he moved up to the Minimes category, where he finished runner-up in the PACA championship with three wins and eight podiums, and won the Trophée Claude Secq. The following year, he continued to climb the ranks, becoming vice-champion of France minimes with eleven podiums. In 2009, he became French Cadet Champion and won the Bridgestone Cup. Over a two-year period, he racked up a string of victories, climbing the steps of the motorsport world.
Leclerc’s ascent continued in 2010 when he became runner-up in the French KF3 championship, finished fifth in the Under-18 World Championship, and won the Monaco Kart Cup, becoming the youngest winner in the event’s history. In 2011, he won the World Cup with pole position and fastest lap, won the Academy Trophy with two wins and five podiums, and finished second in the WSK Final Cup.
His friendship with Jules Bianchi plays a crucial role in his career. Without the support of Bianchi, who introduced him to his manager Nicolas Todt, Leclerc would probably have stopped the competition in 2011 for lack of funding. In 2012, under the wing of Todt, Leclerc became WSK Euro Series champion, vice-champion of Europe and vice world champion of U18, while facing renowned opponents like Max Verstappen. In 2013, despite a difficult season in KZ1, he won the Winter Cup and finished as vice-world champion, confirming his status as a future prodigy of motor sports.
Credit : Scuderia Ferrari Photo Galleries – Monaco Grand Prix 2024, Sunday
In 2014, Charles Leclerc joined Fortec Motorsport and became ALPS vice-champion with two wins and seven podiums, while winning the title of best rookie. The following year, which marks his 18th birthday, he moved to Van Amersfoort Racing where he won several races, including at Silverstone, Hockenheim, Pau and Spa. Despite an accident in Zandvoort that affected his performance, he finished fourth in the championship and best rookie. At the Macau Grand Prix, he finished second and best rookie, confirming his potential by driving a GP3 Series car for the first time in Abu Dhabi, where he broke several records.
Charles Leclerc made his GP3 Series debut in 2016 with the ART Grand Prix team. From the very first race on the Circuit de Catalunya, he won the victory, a performance that he will repeat at the next meeting at the Red Bull Ring. He continued his success by finishing on the podium in the UK, Hungary and Germany. In Belgium, he achieved a triple by taking pole position, the best lap and winning the race. Next, in Italy, although he took pole position, he finished at the bottom of the podium and retired in the second race.
In 2017, Leclerc joined Prema Powerteam to compete in the Formula 2 season. As soon as he opened in Bahrain, he took pole position and finished third in the first race. The next day, after a great climb, he won his first win in the category. In Barcelona, he dominates in pole position and wins the main race. However, in Monaco, he has a difficult weekend with two abandons.
He rebounded quickly in Baku by winning the main race and finishing first in the sprint race, although he was penalized. Leclerc continues to shine in Spielberg and Silverstone, where he equalled a record of consecutive pole positions and won the main races. Despite some disillusionment, especially at Spa-Francorchamps where he was disqualified after winning the race, Leclerc presented himself in Monza with a comfortable lead in the championship.
Although he didn’t score any points in Monza, his lead remained unchanged. He sealed his title on the weekend of Jerez by winning the long race, confirming his status as Formula 2 champion.
[adrotate banner=”10″]
Get 10% off all official F1 Merch at TheRaceWorks.com using code ‘EF1‘ at checkout.
Test and entry into Formula 1
In March 2016, Charles Leclerc joined the Ferrari Driver Academy, following in the footsteps of his mentor Jules Bianchi who died less than a year earlier on 17 July 2015 in Nice. This event would affect his life forever but it would push him to continue to surpass himself. He also became a development driver for the Haas F1 Team and Ferrari, obtaining his super license after testing the Ferrari F14 T at Fiorano. He made his Formula 1 debut in free practice at Silverstone with Haas and then with Ferrari, confirming his potential by also participating in tests in Hungary, Germany and Brazil.
In 2017, he participated in four free practice sessions with Sauber before being confirmed as the starting driver for 2018. Leclerc chose the number 16 in tribute to Bianchi. He scored his first F1 points in his first season with several top 10 finishes. However, he suffered several DNFs, notably in Monaco and Spa, where he was involved in a spectacular accident.
In September 2018, Ferrari announced that Leclerc will replace Kimi Räikkönen for the 2019 season alongside Sebastian Vettel. He finished the 2018 season in thirteenth place with 39 points and impressed on his first test drive with Ferrari at Yas Marina.
Charles Leclerc made his Formula 1 debut in 2018 with the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team at the Australian Grand Prix. He scored his first points by taking sixth place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. In his first season, he finished in points ten times, with three seventh-place finishes in a row at the end of the championship, before joining Scuderia Ferrari for 2019 alongside Sebastian Vettel, replacing Kimi Räikkönen.
Record-breaking Runs
Leclerc became the first Monegasque driver to achieve a pole position, lead a race and climb onto the podium, achieving these feats in his second race with Ferrari in Bahrain. He won his first Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps in September 2019, becoming the youngest Ferrari driver to win at age 21. A week later, he also won the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. That year, he finished the season with ten podiums and seven pole positions, a record for the season, which led Ferrari to extend his contract until 2024.
In 2020, despite a less-than-optimal-performing car, he finished eighth in the championship with two podiums. 2021, with Carlos Sainz Jr. as a teammate, Leclerc took two pole positions and a podium, finishing seventh in the championship. The 2022 season saw him achieve his first Grand Slam in Australia and finish vice-world champion.
In 2023, although dominated by Red Bull and Max Verstappen, Leclerc achieved five pole positions, six podiums and finished fifth in the championship. In January 2024, Ferrari extended his contract for several years, and in 2025 he will team with Lewis Hamilton.
The heir to the Scuderia
The history of the Ferrari Formula 1 team is an epic one marked by brilliant successes, intense rivalries and memorable moments that have shaped the history of motor sport. Founded in 1929 by Enzo Ferrari, the Italian team made its debut in Formula 1 during the first world championship in 1950. Ferrari quickly established itself as one of the most dominant teams, winning its first World Constructors’ Championship title in 1952 with Alberto Ascari, who also won the drivers’ championship.
Over the decades, Ferrari has seen many legendary drivers pass by, such as Juan Manuel Fangio, Niki Lauda, and Michael Schumacher. Schumacher, in particular, marked the team’s history with five consecutive world titles between 2000 and 2004, establishing Ferrari as the team to beat.
[adrotate banner=”3″]
Get 10% off all official F1 Merch at TheRaceWorks.com using code ‘EF1‘ at checkout.
The team has also been the scene of famous rivalries, notably between Niki Lauda and James Hunt in the 1970s, or more recently between Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. These rivalries have often been exacerbated by incidents on the track, such as the controversial accident between Schumacher and Damon Hill at the 1994 Australian Grand Prix, or the collision between Vettel and Hamilton in Baku in 2017.
Credit : Scuderia Ferrari Photo Galleries – Italian Grand Prix 2024, Sunday
Ferrari has forged technical and commercial partnerships that have strengthened its status in the world of F1. The partnership with Fiat, which began in the 1960s, was crucial to the team’s development. More recently, the partnership with Shell for the development of fuels and lubricants has played a key role in the performance of iconic red cars.
The key moments in Ferrari’s history include not only their victories but also tragic incidents, such as the death of Gilles Villeneuve in 1982, which deeply marked the team. However, Ferrari has always been able to bounce back, continuing to accumulate wins and titles, with a total of 16 manufacturers’ titles and 15 drivers’ titles to date.
In 2023, although the team did not win a single victory, it showed its ability to remain competitive, taking several pole positions and podiums, and already preparing the ground for the coming seasons. The announcement of a partnership with Lewis Hamilton for 2025 shows that Ferrari is always looking for excellence and ready to write new chapters in its glorious history.
Key moments in his career
Charles Leclerc, a young Monegasque Formula 1 prodigy, has already lived through several milestones that have marked his career. His ascent started at the 2019 Bahrain Grand Prix, where, despite an engine problem, he showed his potential by leading the race after achieving pole position.
His first memorable victory came at the 2019 Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps, which he dedicated to his late friend, Anthoine Hubert. This victory was followed by another success at the 2019 Italian Grand Prix in Monza, where he triumphed over the fans, reinforcing his status within Ferrari.
The 2019 Austrian Grand Prix remains controversial, as it finishes second after being overtaken by Max Verstappen in the final laps. The races in Monaco in 2019 and 2021 were more difficult, with a drop in 2019 and a technical problem in 2021 after an impressive pole position.
In 2021, at the British Grand Prix, he showed his ability to compete with the best drivers before finishing second at the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, securing his place as vice-world champion.
In 2024, he finally won the Monaco Grand Prix on May 26. On September 1, he crossed the line first at the Italian Grand Prix, his second victory of the year. These iconic moments illustrate the strong identity that Charles Leclerc is forging in the world of Formula 1, achieving victory in both his home race and his team’s home race.
A strong character transmitted in his races
Charles Leclerc is a driver who has an aggressive and calculating driving style. On the track, he does not hesitate to take risks to fight for positions, which was particularly evident during his daring overtaking at the 2019 Belgian Grand Prix. This incident demonstrates his determination to defend his position while minimizing errors, a critical skill for a Formula 1 driver.
[adrotate banner=”3″]
Get 10% off all official F1 Merch at TheRaceWorks.com using code ‘EF1‘ at checkout.
In addition to his aggressiveness, Leclerc demonstrates impressive strategic intelligence. He can quickly assess the racing situations and adapt his driving accordingly. For example, he chooses his moments wisely to attack or defend, which allows him to maximize his performances. This ability to manage resources and understand the dynamics of the race gives it an advantage over its competitors.
In qualifying, he is particularly good, having achieved many pole positions that show his speed and ability to make the most of his car on a fast lap.
Credit : Scuderia Ferrari Photo Galleries – Belgian Grand Prix 2024, Friday
Leclerc is not without weaknesses, however. His aggressiveness can sometimes lead to mistakes, especially when under pressure. Incidents during the 2021 French and Hungarian Grand Prix illustrate this point.
Although he has shown skills on slippery surfaces, his mastery in rainy weather is yet to be proven. He must demonstrate that he can compete with the best pilots in these difficult conditions.
With his immense potential, Leclerc is on track to become a World Champion, learning from every experience on the track and asserting himself as one of the most promising talents in Formula 1.
A balanced off-track life
Charles Leclerc stands out not only for his talent on the track, but also for his personality outside of it. His relationships with his teammates, notably with Carlos Sainz, are marked by a spirit of camaraderie and mutual respect. Although they are competing, Leclerc and Sainz have often been seen encouraging each other, sharing advice and discussing race strategy.
Their friendly relationship is reinforced by moments of complicity during team events, which recalls the dynamic «Carlando» between Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz.
Credit : Scuderia Ferrari Photo Galleries – Charles and Carlos, during an interview
Leclerc has several interests outside of racing. He is passionate about video games, especially racing simulations, which allows him to relax while improving his skills. He is also active on social media, where he shares moments from his daily life, behind the scenes of his career and interacts with his fans. Leclerc uses its platform to promote charitable initiatives and causes that are important to it, which helps strengthen its positive public image.
His media presence is generally well received. Leclerc is seen as a humble and accessible young man, attracting many fans. He often interacts with them, whether at public events or on social media, creating a strong connection to his fan base. His charismatic personality, combined with his seriousness on the track, makes him a well-liked and respected driver in the Formula 1 environment.
[adrotate banner=”3″]
Get 10% off all official F1 Merch at TheRaceWorks.com using code ‘EF1‘ at checkout.
The young driver is also very successful. After having long been seen on the arm of Charlotte Siné, it is now with Alexandra Saint Mleux, an art lover, that Charles Leclerc has a perfect love story on social networks.
Loyal to Ferrari
This season, Charles Leclerc showed variable performances, with moments of brilliance but also notable difficulties. He has achieved several podiums and impressive qualifications, demonstrating his talent and determination. However, he also encountered reliability issues and race incidents that affected his results, which was frustrating for him and the team.
In terms of his relationship with the team, Leclerc has a different dynamic than other duos like Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, who have often experienced tensions. With Carlos Sainz, Leclerc maintains a relationship of respect and camaraderie. They seem to work together for the good of the team, while remaining competitive. Their dynamics are characterized by open communication, allowing them to exchange information about the car and collaborate on race weekends.
For next year, Charles Leclerc should stay with the Scuderia Ferrari, where he has a contract that is being extended. It is unlikely to lose its place, given its status within the team and overall performance. As for retirement, although it is still young, the stakes of Formula 1 are such that anything can happen. However, he is motivated and determined to continue fighting for victories and titles, which suggests a long career ahead.
With a promising future at Ferrari, he seems well positioned to continue competing at the highest level.
[adrotate banner=”10″]
Get 10% off all official F1 Merch at TheRaceWorks.com using code ‘EF1‘ at checkout.