Charles Leclerc has opened up about a personal change he has been making away from the Formula 1 spotlight, revealing that he has deliberately tried to reduce the amount of time he spends on his phone and social media. The Ferrari driver admitted that while the experiment has been successful, finding the right balance remains a work in progress.
In an era where smartphones dominate daily life and social media has become a major source of news, entertainment and communication, stepping away from constant digital engagement is not easy. For professional athletes, the challenge can be even greater, as their public image is continuously discussed, analyzed and judged online.
Charles Leclerc explained that he has been making progress in limiting his phone use, although he quickly discovered that completely disconnecting from the digital world came with its own challenges.
“Yeah, I am achieving that. Then there’s a balance to find, because it’s also true that as soon as you are… you kind of feel a little bit disconnected on what’s going around because today everybody is with a phone, and so there’s a balance to find,” Charles Leclerc said.
The Monegasque driver revealed that at one stage he took the idea to an extreme level. For approximately two or three months, he avoided using his phone almost entirely, only checking messages on WhatsApp and answering calls when necessary.
“I did two or three months, I think, without ever touching my phone apart from WhatsApp when I was receiving messages and calls, and that was maybe a little bit extreme,” he explained.
While the experiment helped him create distance from the constant flow of information, Charles Leclerc eventually concluded that completely cutting himself off was not the ideal solution. Instead, he now aims for a more sustainable approach that allows him to stay informed and connected without becoming overwhelmed.
“So now maybe I’m trying to find a balance between the two because it’s good to be up to date with what’s going on around the world and to stay in touch with friends and funny moments. There’s also lots of funny moments on social media and it part also of social interaction with friends and family.”
His comments highlight an increasingly common challenge faced by elite athletes. Social media can be a valuable tool for maintaining relationships with fans, friends and family, but it can also expose public figures to a constant stream of criticism and scrutiny.
For Formula 1 drivers in particular, every race weekend generates thousands of opinions, reactions and judgments online. A strong performance can bring widespread praise, while a difficult weekend often attracts criticism within minutes. Charles Leclerc acknowledged that this environment can sometimes become unhealthy.
“It is also true that it’s a place where sometimes it can be a little bit toxic when you are in a position where people can kind of judge and say anything very, very easily. And they have the right to do so, but as a human being, you can also be affected by looking at those things.”
The Ferrari driver’s remarks offer a rare glimpse into the mental side of life in Formula 1. While drivers are often seen as highly resilient competitors, they remain human beings who can be affected by the constant noise that comes with competing at the highest level of motorsport.
Ultimately, Charles Leclerc believes the answer lies somewhere in the middle. Rather than abandoning social media entirely or spending hours scrolling through content every day, he is searching for a healthy balance that protects his well-being while still allowing him to enjoy the positive aspects of online interaction: “So it’s a balance to find. I don’t know if I found the perfect one, but for now it works for me, which is the most important.”
As the pressure of competing for Ferrari continues to grow, maintaining that balance could prove just as important as any preparation he does on track. In a sport where focus, confidence and mental strength often make the difference, managing the digital world may be another key ingredient in Charles Leclerc’s pursuit of Formula 1 success.
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