“There’s additionally a mega-difference between being a contender capable of win one or two races throughout a season to a title contender as a result of you’ll be able to’t do a mistake, you’ll be able to’t lose too many factors, and you need to handle every race and the season. I’m assured he can do this.”
Leclerc stated the error in Imola was one he would study from and never repeat. He’s fueled by the recollections of his father, Hervé, a former System 3 driver who died in 2017, shortly earlier than his son signed his first System 1 contract.
“Once I began profitable in karting after I was 7 years outdated, naturally, you suppose you’re the greatest, however he was telling me ‘Relax, Charles’,” Leclerc stated. “He was all the time telling me to remain humble. It was the very first thing he ever taught me after I was profitable, which has been very helpful ever since.”
Since 2011, Leclerc has additionally been supported by his supervisor, Nicolas Todt, the son of Jean Todt, the previous president of the F.I.A. There’s additionally a robust household community that features his brother Arthur, who’s racing for a second season in System 3 this yr.
One other necessary particular person in Leclerc’s life is Jules Bianchi, his godfather, who died in July 2015 from mind accidents he sustained in a crash through the Japanese Grand Prix 9 months earlier.
“We had been all the time extraordinarily shut,” Leclerc stated. “There was positively a particularly sturdy connection, and that is still the case by way of to in the present day.
“On the finish of 2010, when my father didn’t have the cash to maintain me stepping into karting and it was wanting prefer it was going to be my final yr, Jules was form sufficient to discuss me to Nicolas who then paid for the whole lot for me till I reached System 1.
“So with out Jules, I might be nowhere,” he stated. “He additionally taught me so many issues after I was youthful that allowed me to take my first steps in automotive racing and have been basic for my profession and for me as an individual. Jules will eternally be with me.”
