For Charles Leclerc, who granted a twenty-minute interview to “L’Équipe” on Wednesday in Monaco, the season has not started as well as hoped. However, this does not prevent him from seeing the positive and always dreaming of the best with Ferrari, just like his victory last year.
On Wednesday morning, the paddock is still being set up in Monaco. On the Quai des Artistes, where the most dedicated F1 fans have been gathering for decades, Ferrari has prepared a press point with all the Monegasque media in the restaurant that, for the past two years, has replaced the historic Stars’N’Bars. And then, finally, L’Équipe.
Charles Leclerc is going through his appointments, smiling, professional. And then comes the interview, now a habit with our newspaper. The Monegasque has never been one to hide or lie. For about twenty minutes, last year’s winner happily recalled his historic success in front of his own people before discussing this season, which he did not anticipate being so difficult. A dive into the life of the driver, his pleasures, and his sorrows.
“What remains of that victory a year ago?”
We have the memories, especially the memories.
But what memories do you think of when you recall this success?
(Instantly.) The jump into the harbor with Fred (Vasseur, the boss of the Ferrari team) or the evening on Wednesday before the Grand Prix with the whole team. Yes, those are the two moments that really marked my memory.
Not the selfie that Prince Albert asked you for at the end of the podium ceremony when you were about to leave him?
Not the selfie, in particular. However, I was very touched to see the prince so moved on the podium. That, for me, was also a great moment because he has always followed me closely. He has sent me messages throughout my career and so to share this moment together on the podium with the prince, it was also a very strong moment.
Did you give yourself a gift for this victory?
(He thinks.) No. But I am so lucky to drive an F1. It’s a bit like Christmas every day for me, so I didn’t give myself a particular gift. But on the other hand, I shared a lot. In fact, the gift was perhaps the Sunday evening party. For the record, it was beautiful. I think it was a first for me. Yes, all the team members were there. We were more than 150 at Jimmy’z (the nightclub next to the Salle des Étoiles of the Sporting Monte-Carlo, where the Sunday evening gala dinner takes place).
Reflections on a Career Milestone
Did it cost you a lot?
(He laughs.) A little bit, but it was an exceptional evening.
Did this victory change anything in your life as a driver?
Honestly, it’s a dream come true. So, from a personal perspective, it was really a box that got ticked. It’s important and it’s a powerful moment, a moment I will never forget in my entire life. But as a driver, has it changed me? Very honestly, I don’t think so. However, it did change yesterday (Tuesday). For once, we didn’t talk about missed opportunities, but more about this long-awaited victory.
And in your life as a Monegasque?
Well, on that side, a bit more. (He smiles.) I remember that for five or six months, not a day went by without someone mentioning it here. For Monaco, it was exceptional to have one of their own win. So, it created something special. Yes, for six months, there was always someone shouting “bravo!”
You’ve ticked the box “win in F1”, ticked the box “victory in Monaco”. Now, all that’s missing is the world title.
(He smiles.)
When is that title coming?
I don’t know. (He thinks.) But I hope as soon as possible. We all believed in it as a team this year. Unfortunately, it’s been more complicated than we wanted at the start of the season. But I haven’t lost hope, because the season is still very long. We saw with McLaren last year that it was possible to come back. Red Bull had a very strong start and then it was McLaren who became champion.
Next week in Barcelona, we know that there will be a new technical directive (banning flexible front wings) which, I hope, can help us a little bit. I don’t believe in miracles but in any case, I will give absolutely everything until the end to try to… clinch this title this year.
So, 2026?
You know me. I haven’t given up on 2025 yet. It seems more complicated than expected, but I’m not giving up.
Expressing Frustration and Hope
You seemed quite angry last weekend at Imola. Is there frustration about not having the car to fight for the title?
Of course, there is frustration. Especially at Grand Prix events where there is so much passion and which are even more special like Monaco. Racing for Ferrari at Imola, it’s powerful! We want to do well and certainly not fight for a vague fourth or fifth place. Moreover, as I was not lucky on Sunday (with the safety cars), all things considered, it was not an easy weekend.
Possibility of a Pole Position
Signing a pole here on Saturday, like in 2021, 2022, or last year, is it possible?
(He sighs.) On paper, it’s going to be extremely difficult.
Staying with Ferrari
So there’s no question of you leaving Ferrari?
Absolutely not. I believe in the project, I believe in Fred (Vasseur). It’s a complicated time and it’s easy to doubt in these moments. But when I take a step back and look at this team, I don’t think about leaving Ferrari. I want to win with Ferrari, I’ve always said that. And I will stay as long as I believe in this project. And I do.
Potential Rain During Qualifications
There may be rain on Saturday during the qualifications…
It’s raining? I didn’t know that. So yes, that could reshuffle the cards a bit. (He smiles.) But the car’s flaws remain the same. Unfortunately, since the beginning of the year, we’ve had a lot of trouble in slow corners. Monaco is exclusively slow, even very slow corners. So honestly, I… (he thinks) I prefer not to say too much. Let’s just say that on paper, it seems very complicated.
Explaining Current Challenges
How do you explain that neither you nor Lewis Hamilton, both champions of the exercise, are succeeding this year? Is it due to the tires warming up?
I don’t think it’s one particular thing, but several things connected. For two years now, the car has been performing rather well in the race but a little less in qualifying. This year, it’s even more pronounced. We saw in Jeddah that we were overheating, we lost four-tenths in four corners. I hope that won’t be the case here.
Enjoying the Qualification Process
What do you like about the qualification exercise?
What I love is the fact of pushing a car to the maximum for one lap; the mental exercise too, of being 100% on that particular lap, performing under pressure, these are things I particularly appreciate. In a race, if we make a small mistake on a corner, it can have very little impact or none at all. In a qualifying, when we make a small mistake in a corner, the impact can be dramatic on the result because everyone is at the limit.
And doing it here, in Monaco?
It’s the same thing, but tenfold. There’s even less room for error. The walls here give a unique feeling in the car. The sense of speed and the passing scenery are much faster because the walls are very close, as are the buildings, so there are many visible references that enhance the impression of speed. It adds a lot of adrenaline.
Do you specifically prepare for this exercise here in Monaco?
Honestly, I don’t have time to do anything special for Monaco because from Monday to Sunday, I’m always on the go. It’s hard, but it allows me to get into my bubble and not stay at home too much because otherwise, it can be difficult to concentrate.
Now that you mention it, I remember, a year ago, I did a lot of breathing exercises to stay as calm as possible because, as you can easily imagine, there’s generally more pressure for all drivers in Monaco and for me, being at home, it adds even more.
Can the two stops that are now imposed on you in Monaco change the game in these often boring Grand Prix?
I think it can create uncertainty, especially around the eleventh, twelfth, or thirteenth place. We might see ultra-extreme strategies that put other teams in difficulty and forced to react. I’m eager to see what it will bring.
How is life with Hamilton? Is it pleasant or does he take a lot of the spotlight?
Honestly, there’s always been a lot of spotlight at Ferrari. At the beginning of the season, it was quite crazy because there was a lot of it, whether on the Scuderia or on Lewis, which is normal. Now, things have calmed down a bit.
However, things are going great with Lewis, we get along very well, we work very well together. He’s an extremely talented driver, who has achieved the most in this sport, who has won the most (105 victories, 7 world champion titles), he’s probably the best driver Formula 1 has ever seen. For me, it’s a great motivation to be able to show what I can do in the same car as him.
And what have you noted in your notebook about the way he works?
Lewis’s organizational skills are exceptional, both in terms of driving and everything outside of Formula 1. When we look at drivers from the outside, we often focus on how they work on the track, but there’s also a lot to do to manage this crazy life. And even more so for Lewis. I’ve learned that over the years, there’s a real added value in being surrounded by the right people, having an organization around you to free up time and be focused on the job when you’re behind the wheel.
