Leclerc: I had doubts my Formula 1 dream was out of reach

Ferrari driver Leclerc spoke candidly about self-doubt, sacrifice, pressure, and the mindset required to succeed at the elite level of motorsport. He described growing up in Monaco as surprisingly simple, despite the city’s glamorous reputation. “When we imagine Monaco, we imagine straight away the Grand Prix, the tennis, all these huge events...

"But it's very far from the reality of Monaco,” he said. “It actually feels like a small village. We are only eight or nine thousand Monegasque, so very few. We all know each other.”

That proximity to the Monaco Grand Prix fuelled his passion early. “I could hear the Formula 1 cars whenever I was at school on Thursday and only wanted one thing—to finish school and finally go to the cars. I always had that dream.”

Leclerc admitted that despite his obvious talent, he had serious doubts about ever reaching Formula 1. “If I'm completely honest, I actually had a lot of doubts climbing to the top. There were moments where I thought that maybe my dream was out of reach, that I couldn't actually make it,” he said.

He credited French manager Nicolas Todt for changing everything: “Luckily in 2010, end of 2010, Nicolas Todt, who is my manager now, basically paid everything in my career until I got to Formula One. That is probably the day where I finally had the belief that if I was doing everything right on my side... all my dreams could be possible.”

Rather than looking too far ahead, Leclerc focused on each racing category in front of him. “I was just really focusing on the present moment, trying to do the best I could in all those junior categories, and things were going well."

Leclerc recalled his Formula 1 debut vividly: “It was in Melbourne, Australia. I flew a long way from home and arrived a week early to adapt to the time zone. The pressure builds quickly… once you get to Formula One, everybody’s watching you. Everybody’s waiting to finally judge you.”

Despite that, he felt ready. “I knew that I had done everything in my control to be as ready as I possibly could to get there. And then I just had to... drive.”

After a solid rookie season with Alfa Romeo, Leclerc joined Ferrari and felt the pressure intensify. “The first time I started on pole position, there was a lot of pressure around,” he recalled. “But then you get the first pole, and I think you get the first win. And that’s also where things change.”

“Once you get into Formula One, these are the best 20 drivers in the world. So that’s where you’ve got to prove yourself all over again. And to finally win that first race, I think it kind of unlocked something in me to know that I can do it.”

While Leclerc is known for his calm and respectful demeanour, he made clear that his on-track persona is different: “I'm a kind person. But whenever I put the helmet [on], any kind of feelings, you just try and put them aside. We are here to win... and whatever I can do on track to win a race, I will. Of course, always within the limit.”

He also explained the physical toll of Formula 1: “I wish people could experience what we go through inside of a Formula One car. The G-forces, the speed, the heat—it gets quite extreme. In Singapore, we can lose up to three and a half, four kilos of liquid.”

Training is essential to withstand the demands of racing. “Cardio is a big part of my training. The heart rate can go very high... plus you have the engine right behind us. The cockpit gets crazy hot. Recovery is just as important. We’ve got 24 races a season. It’s not only about the physical recovery, but also about the mental recovery. We’ve got to be on it mentally all the time.”

Leclerc also shared his appreciation for fashion and style in the paddock. “I just want to be me. And to be at ease with who you are as a person, and the way you look, and the way you dress is for me extremely important for just being a happy person,” he said.

He named his teammate as the most stylish: “Lewis is very much in the fashion world and he’s got his own style. Whether you like it or not, you always know it’s Lewis.”

Music plays a big part in Leclerc’s pre-race mindset. “Music has always had a very important part of my life,” he said. “Before Monaco, I listen to calm piano music I composed myself, just because the tension is so high.”

And while racing is his life, his dog Leo holds a special place. “Dogs are so loyal, and it’s just unconditional love... the best thing that ever happened to me."

Leclerc revealed he’s a heavy sleeper, often clocking up to 12 hours when possible. “Sleep is a priority for me,” he smiled. “But I would rarely have the time to go as far as 12 hours. My sweet spot is maybe around 8.5 to 9.”

As for jet lag from constant travel, he has developed coping techniques. “I use light therapy glasses that mimic sunlight to help adjust my body clock. And I sleep—a lot. At one point, you’ve got to sleep,” he laughed.

Asked what milestone he still wants to achieve, he replied without hesitation: “I’m still in time to be the first Formula One World Champion for Ferrari from Monaco. No Monegasque has ever been World Champion, so I’m still in time of doing that.”

For now, Charles Leclerc remains focused on winning races, staying grounded, and staying true to who he is. “I try to be the most me possible. That is important.”