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Driving test nerves, forming a Ferrari band and Harry Potter’s magic – Getting to know the real Charles Leclerc
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With the Monaco Grand Prix weekend coming up, who better to face F1.com’s Getting to Know quickfire questions than home hero Charles Leclerc? From a “very tense” driving test to his best friend in the paddock, and the film series that inspired him as a youngster to his singing struggles, he reveals all in the video player above and transcript below…
Can you describe yourself in three words?
Humble, hard worker… is that considered two words? (Laughs) And simple!
What made you fall in love with F1?
I think the driving in itself, and the sound of the cars. But the driving has really been what I’ve loved about this sport. I obviously didn’t start in an F1 car, but starting in karting and understanding the feeling of what it is like to be driving a kart is what made me fall in love with this sport.
Leclerc made his F1 debut in 2018 and has raced for Ferrari since the 2019 season
When and where did you first drive something?
I think it was the electric trucks… you know that you have for babies? That’s I think the first thing I’ve ever driven. I was drifting with it, and I really enjoyed it. Then it was karting!
How many times did it take you to pass your driving test?
First time! I’m very proud to say that. In Monaco it’s difficult… there’s quite a bit of traffic. I was very tense, probably more than I am going into Qualifying. It would have looked so bad to not go through the first time as a driver.
When was the last time you cried with laughter?
I don’t know… it has to be recently, as I laugh very easily. Crying with laughter, though? I don’t know, maybe three, four months ago!
Who’s your best friend inside the paddock?
Pierre [Gasly] is the friend that I’ve had for the longest, for sure. We’ve known each other since we were six years old, so probably Pierre.
He has 26 pole positions, 44 podium finishes and eight wins to his name in the top echelon
Which three F1 personalities past or present would you invite to a dinner party and why?
Ayrton Senna. Michael [Schumacher], and [Alberto] Ascari. Different eras, but very special drivers.
What’s the best holiday you’ve been on?
I think it’s been this last winter. I went to Mexico with my whole family. It was very, very special to be able to spend some quality time with my loved ones. When I was younger we didn’t go that much on holidays, because obviously my parents did a lot for me to be racing, so we would go [to] tracks. To be able to take some time off this winter with my mum, my brothers, my dog, my girlfriend, was very, very special.
If you had to take one driver and team boss to a desert island with you, who would it be and why?
(Laughs) Oh… I would definitely take Fred [Vasseur] as my team boss. I would do a bit of a team building island week, so I would take Lewis [Hamilton] and Fred. That would be very messy and very funny. I think we’d enjoy it. Maybe Lewis could bring a guitar, a piano, we could do music, and Fred on the triangle!
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How many languages can you speak?
I speak three: English, Italian and French. I understand Spanish like 90%, I would say, but I don’t speak it that well.
Do you speak any Monegasque?
You’re putting me on the spot there! It is actually a language. We learn some words when we’re young… I can’t speak it fluently, but I have some base. It’s a difficult language!
I learnt ‘üncantau’…
Sorry?!
Üncantau… It means ‘nice to meet you’, apparently…
Okay… üncantau! And bungiurnu, which means ‘hello’…
That’s the other one I had!
Yeah, quite a lot of words… I know some random words like that, but I can’t actually do a sentence!
Leclerc still has some work to do when it comes to mastering the Monegasque language...
What’s your favourite film and TV show of all time?
I’ve always been a huge fan of Harry Potter, when I was younger especially. I think once you’ve seen and watched Harry Potter when you’re a kid, the magic just stays there for the rest of your life.
Finally, we know you’re a musical guy… What would your karaoke song be?
I love music, but I’m a very bad singer – like very, very bad! I try to avoid karaoke as much as I can, but if I’ve really got to sing I’ll go for We Are the Champions, only because the lyrics are very easy to remember, and I’m very bad at remembering lyrics.
I hope that will be your 2025 song, Charles…
I hope so too!
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