Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc revealed that his all-time favourite helmet design is the one which he used during the 2022 French Grand Prix weekend, that featured pictures of his father Hervé and former Ferrari Driver Academy member Jules Bianchi.
Charles Leclerc therefore wanted to share his emotional tribute to two “super important” people, who unfortunately are no longer with the Monegasque.
Jules Bianchi was Charles Leclerc’s elder brother’s best friend and the three of them used to hang together most of the time when they were kids. He was also Charles’ godfather. The French motor racing driver lost control of his Marussia F1 car in very wet conditions and collided with a recovery vehicle in the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, suffering a diffuse axonal injury. His death was confirmed on 17 July 2015
After two years, Charles Leclerc also lost his father, Hervé passing away in June 2017, just a few weeks before the Monegasque was presented with the opportunity to sign his first Formula 1 contract, joining Sauber the following season.
Hervé and Jules both featured on the Ferrari man’s special helmet used last year at the Paul Ricard circuit, which Charles Leclerc rates as his favourite, as confirmed in a recent interview for the Italian media:
“Probably the one used in France. With the reproduction on the two halves of the photographs of my father Hervé and Jules Bianchi. Two super important people for me who are no longer with us. The creation of the helmets is a joint effort between myself and Adrien Paviot, a very good designer.” – Charles said, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The special lid for the French Grand Prix was not the first time the Ferrari driver carried something reminding him of his family while racing. Charles confirmed that he used to race with a good luck charm sewn into his race suit by his late grandmother.
“I had some as a kid. My grandmother always used to sew a cross inside my overalls, under the sponsors’ logos, but that tradition has disappeared since she is no longer here.” – Scuderia Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc concluded.
Photo gallery of Charles’ all-time favourite Ferrari helmet design:
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