Melbourne, taxi driver doesn’t recognise Charles Leclerc: “Ferrari doesn’t look bad!”. Melbourne, taxi driver doesn't recognise Charles.

Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc was interviewed by TG1, the flagship television newscast produced by Rai 1, ahead of the 2022 Emilia Romagna and Made in Italy Grand Prix scheduled in Imola over the next weekend. The Ferrari driver will race at the Santerno circuit as the leader of the World Championship with 71 points, 34 more than George Russell (Mercedes) and 46 more than the reigning champion Max Verstappen.

In his interview for the main channel of state-owned public broadcaster RAI, Charles Leclerc recalled a funny story which took in Australia two weeks ago, after the same thing happened to the Monegasque driver in 2019 when he won the Italian Grand Prix. At that time, after Charles won in Monza, a taxi driver didn‘t recognize him and asked him if he went to the GP and that the young boy from Ferrari is very strong.

Now a similar situation happened in Australia (this time before his race win though).

Q: “After your win in Monza, a taxi driver didn’t recognize you!”
Charles: “It happened again this year in Australia! Not after the win but prior to the weekend, but it was the same story. He was saying [ah, Ferrari don’t look bad this year], and I was like [eh, yes].”

Q: “Where do you think you have improved?”
Charles: “I think in 2019, I was fast in qualifying, but during the race, sometimes I was missing a bit of management and pace. This year it is better. I didn’t expect such a good start to the season, so I can’t wait to be in Imola. I think it’s gonna be incredible, because every time we race in Italy we have a very special support here.”

Q: “Do you think about what is happening in Ukraine?”
Charles: “It’s impossible not to think about it, I really hope it will finish soon, there are a lot of innocent people involved [innocent people suffering].”

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Q: “What do your mother and brothers tell you?”
Charles: “They are very happy, but as I said before, it’s a very long season. We need to stay calm and keep pushing.”

Q: “Someone stole your expensive watch. Will you be on time at Imola?”
Charles: “Unfortunately it hasn’t been a great experience, but it‘s like this. But yes, I will try to be on time at Imola.”