While the paddock in Monte Carlo is still quiet and largely empty, Charles Leclerc is already deep into a busy schedule by nine o’clock in the morning. A packed day of commitments lies ahead, but there is also time to accept congratulations following the contract extension that will keep him at Ferrari for at least two more seasons.
Shortly afterward, he sits down with Motorsport.com for his first interview since Ferrari officially announced the new deal. In a wide-ranging conversation, Charles Leclerc discusses why he chose to continue his journey with the Scuderia, his confidence in team principal Fred Vasseur, his long-term ambitions in Formula 1, and his unwavering desire to win a world championship in red.
Your latest Ferrari extension is now your third with the team. Was this the one that required the most reflection, or was the decision as natural as the previous renewals?
“I think every contract renewal deserves careful consideration, and this one was no different from the previous ones. The most important aspect is believing in the project. As for the love I have for this team, that’s no longer something I need to question, so from that perspective I didn’t have much to think about.
“Then there’s Fred (Vasseur). We have a unique relationship, and I have great confidence that he is the right person to bring Ferrari back to the top. There are also the signs we’ve seen this year. We are behind Mercedes, that’s true, but I see a huge amount of innovation.
“At Maranello, there is a group of people pushing very hard, trying to think differently compared to the past, even outside conventional approaches. We’ve seen some very innovative solutions on the car, and that gave me even more confidence. It convinced me that this is the team I want to be with.
“So beyond my love for Ferrari, which is something obvious, there was also a logical process behind the decision. That has always been the case whenever I’ve signed a new contract.”
Over the years, have you ever felt the need to seriously evaluate alternatives to Ferrari? I imagine Nicolas Todt received interest from other top teams. How easy was it to remain focused on one option?
“I’ve never really considered alternatives. Of course, there have been conversations, because after ten years in this paddock you build relationships that go beyond purely professional matters.
“Sometimes discussions happen, and I think that’s completely natural. But I can confirm that those matters concern Nicolas much more than they concern me. As far as I’m concerned, and I want to make this clear, what I wanted to do has always been very obvious.”
You are Monegasque, but you have spent many years immersed in a deeply Italian environment. Last year Lewis Hamilton called you ‘Mr Ferrari,’ highlighting how closely you have become associated with the Scuderia. Did that sense of belonging influence your decision? Sometimes leaving your comfort zone can be harder than it seems.
“I don’t think that’s the case. Throughout my motorsport career, I’ve changed teams many times, from karting through all the junior categories. Even when you stay with the same team, the people around you often change from one season to another.
“It’s true that I’ve been in the same environment for eight years, but even here many people have changed. The idea of a comfort zone has never been part of my thinking when making important decisions.
“It would be wrong to choose where you want to be simply because you feel comfortable there. What I want is to win. I’ve always said that. And what I truly want is to win in red.
“This contract extension was signed with the goal of helping bring Ferrari back to the top.”
By the time this agreement expires, you could have completed eleven Formula 1 seasons, ten of them with Ferrari. Yet you would still be only 31 years old. Do you ever think about how long your future in this sport could be?
“I love this sport and I consider myself extremely fortunate to do what I’m doing. But it’s difficult to have a clear vision of the future and imagine how I’ll feel in two, three, five or ten years.
“It depends on many things. Formula 1 has always been the most important thing in my life, but I’m also someone who values family. Today I don’t know where I’ll be or what my situation will look like in a few years’ time.
“There may be factors that influence the way I view everything.”
Having children?
“For example, yes. But if you ask me what I think today, then my answer is that I would race in Formula 1 until I’m 45! “At the same time, I don’t want to sound too certain now and then change my mind three years from today. As I said, it’s difficult to imagine what my life will look like in three or five years. “But I absolutely love Formula 1 and I’d like to continue for as long as possible.”
In Formula 1 we often hear carefully crafted statements. Because of that, some people have started to view your ‘I love Ferrari’ comments as something expected rather than genuine. Looking at your decisions today, it seems clear there is much more behind those words.
“Well… I hope that’s obvious by now!
“At the beginning, it was the love for this team, for this brand, and for everything Ferrari represents. Then, after ten years spent first in the Ferrari Driver Academy and later in the Scuderia, I built relationships that mean a lot to me.
“I have special connections with so many people, and that only strengthens my determination to win with this team. Everyone working in Maranello has been giving their maximum effort for many years and, yes, that is exactly what I want to do.”
So far, you have always shared the garage with teammates who were more experienced than you, from Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz to Lewis Hamilton. Have you ever thought that after this renewal there may come a moment when you become the most experienced reference point within the team?
“It’s strange, isn’t it?” Charles says with a smile.
“Time passes for everyone, including me. That moment will come, and I think it will be an additional source of motivation. I’ve always enjoyed measuring myself against the best drivers in the world. I’ve been fortunate to have very strong teammates like Carlos, Seb and Lewis, and I learned something from all of them.
“But I’d also be perfectly happy to have a younger driver alongside me.”
When you look at your record and see eight victories in eight seasons, do you feel more pride for what you have achieved or regret for what slipped away on certain occasions?
“Of course I would like to have more victories, and I would love to have won a world championship. Those are things I still don’t have.
“At the same time, I’ve had the opportunity to race for the team that always made me dream. I also think about loyalty towards the people who helped me at a crucial stage of my career and gave me the chance to reach where I am today. If Ferrari had not believed in me, I don’t know if I would be here now. That’s something very important to me. Naturally, I would like to see more success on my record, but I think everyone always wants a little bit more, even after achieving a lot.
“It’s true that victories and a world title are what I’m still missing and what I want to achieve. I hope it happens soon.”
Will you be diving into the Monaco harbour on Sunday evening?
“I hope so. That’s the goal. But above all, I hope I can throw Fred into the water as well!”
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