Charles Leclerc - Scuderia’s Prince of Precision

Early Life & Racing DNA

Born 16 October 1997 in Monte Carlo, Monaco, Charles Leclerc was destined for the cockpit from the start. The son of Hervé, a former Formula 3 driver, and Pascale, he cut his teeth in karting-eventually becoming the 2011 Junior Karting World Cup champion. He climbed through the junior ranks, impressing in Formula Renault and F2 on his way to a full-time Formula 1 seat in 2018 with Sauber.

Stepping into Ferrari

His blistering pace at Sauber fast-tracked him to Scuderia Ferrari in 2019, where he replaced Kimi Räikkönen. That debut season was an instant hit: he not only outqualified and outpaced Sebastian Vettel, but also secured pole in Bahrain and Monza, and claimed his first F1 victory at Spa - followed by another in Monza.

Master of Qualifying

Charles is renowned for his one-lap brilliance. He holds the record for the most pole positions without winning a championship and dominated qualifying in junior categories as well.

Wheel‑to‑Wheel Grit

Off the starting line, he delivers with equal tenacity. From his fierce battles with Max Verstappen to defending from Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, Leclerc is unafraid of close-quarters racing - earning him the moniker il Predestinato (“the Predestined”) in Italian media.

Emotional Highs and Passionate Spirit

Few moments capture Leclerc’s emotional intensity like his triumphant 2024 Monaco Grand Prix victory - the first Monegasque win at his home race since 1931. It was both Ferrari’s first Monaco win since 2017 and a deeply personal milestone for the driver.

Off-track, Leclerc has found solace in music, even composing and releasing a piano piece during downtime - a creative outlet that showcases his thoughtful, grounded personality.

Career Highlights at a Glance

Current Season Outlook - Rising Again

Despite a rocky start to 2025, Charles roared back in qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix, earning what he described as the most unexpected pole of his career after an “extremely difficult” session.

However, race day brought challenges: despite leading from the front, a chassis issue disrupted his rhythm and dropped him behind the two McLarens and George Russell - leading to a fiery radio moment that was later clarified with technical insight.

Through it all, Leclerc remains a figure of Ferrari’s identity - driven by passion, shaping every lap with heart and craft.