For Charles Leclerc, who has been nurtured by Ferrari since his earliest years, delivering a championship to the Scuderia would already be a significant achievement, while potentially setting the stage for a drivers’ title. Perhaps as early as next year…
Charles Leclerc never takes things lightly. On Thursday, when we were expecting him on the shaded terrace of Ferrari in the paddock, the Monegasque was immersed in his Thursday tasks, delving into data with his engineers to best prepare for this final round of the Championship. The promised fifteen minutes for the interview thus evaporated into the driver’s studies. When he finally emerged, another colleague was waiting his turn. However, there was no question of abandoning L’Équipe, which he diligently collects.
A meeting was therefore arranged for the evening, after this seemingly endless Thursday where drivers juggle media obligations and debriefings with engineers to assess a season where their team can still clinch the title. Night had long since fallen, the mechanics from the teams were leaving the paddock, and it was not yet known that Charles Leclerc would be penalized ten places on the grid on Sunday, due to a long-suffering battery that gave out at the worst possible moment. For a quarter of an hour, the winner of Monaco, Monza, and Austin this season chatted casually, as promised.
Before this final Grand Prix, you find yourself with the possibility of winning the constructors’ title with Ferrari and also finishing second in the drivers’ standings. Which of the two rankings motivates you the most?
Both, but to be honest, I’ve always been more interested in the first than the second. You know me, the latter excites me much less. There is still the possibility of winning the constructors’ title and that motivates me greatly. However, I can’t also hide that a second place in the drivers’ standings in a season like this, where we were clearly not the favorites in terms of performance… Before the summer, apart from Monaco (Leclerc’s victory, Carlos Sainz 3rd) and Australia (Sainz’s victory, Leclerc 2nd), we suffered a bit compared to McLaren or Red Bull.
Does Winning the Constructors’ Title Matter to a Driver, or Is It Just for the Bonus?
There are several factors at play. Ferrari has always been the team I dreamed of as a child. Winning a World Championship with Scuderia would be like a crowning achievement, the fulfillment of a dream. That’s one reason. The second is that Carlos Sainz Jr. and I have been working like crazy for four years to try to be in this position. So, ending this collaboration (Sainz will join Williams next season) in this way would have a special meaning and would perfectly complete a cycle. Thirdly, I would still say that for any driver, winning a title matters. We forget that it’s also a team sport and it would reward all the work done at the factory and on the track.
What If I Add That With This Crown, It Would Be Your Boss, Frédéric Vasseur’s First Title, With Whom You Get Along So Well…
Yes, of course, but that’s natural (he bursts into laughter). I’ve already told you so often in interviews. Fred and I have known each other for so many years. He has always helped me a lot and I have always said how fundamental he has been in this change of mentality at Ferrari. And if today we are in this position, it is of course and especially thanks to him and this change of mentality that he has achieved within Scuderia.
“This Year, I Don’t Remember a Race Where I Made a Big Mistake”
From the Outside, You Appear Very Relaxed or Much Less Tense Than McLaren (The British Team Has a 21-Point Lead in the Constructors’ Standings)…
That’s good and it confirms what I just told you. Fred, that’s his strength. He always manages to take a step back to not be overwhelmed by emotions, especially in this Italian team that is often overwhelmed by them. He always has the right words to reassure or motivate the troops whether things are going well or not. And for this final, he continues in this vein and knows how to calm things down.
Did you draw inspiration from your boss to remain as calm during the Monaco weekend that you finally won?
I’ve always felt that I didn’t approach my GP differently. I’ve been in a good position on the grid several times before unforeseen circumstances ruined everything, and it wasn’t my fault. This year, I felt as calm as in other seasons but, yes, you may be right, I’ve grown, I’ve matured. I’ve learned to calm down and not try to overdo it. I even think that this has been my big challenge of the year. Very often, before, there were missed opportunities because there was a desire to do too well. This year, I don’t necessarily remember a race with a big mistake on my part.
In the battle against McLaren in this last Grand Prix, what will the title hinge on?
In a weekend like this, we will have to be perfect from A to Z because even if we finish first and second, and they finish third and fourth, they win. So we will need a bit of luck. We will have to do a good qualifying and an exceptional race.
And this Yas Marina track, do you like it?
You might be surprised, but yes, I like it a lot. Even though I’ve never won there, I’ve done quite well (three podiums including two second places in the last two years).
Based on this car, what are your hopes for 2025? Are you aiming for both titles?
That’s always the goal when we start a season (he smiles). But it’s too early to know…
Your friend Pierre Gasly told us earlier that last year, in December, he already knew that his Alpine would be nowhere at the beginning of the year…
(He interrupts.) You’ll allow me to remain very cautious. I’m not going to tell you that our car is great because we never know what the competition is doing.
But can you tell us if you’re happy with the car?
Clearly. I’m very happy with the car, but especially with the way we work.
“I want to show what I’m capable of with Lewis Hamilton in the same car”
Next year, you’re changing teammates. Having Lewis Hamilton…
(Instantly.) It’s something that excites me enormously. Because it’s Lewis Hamilton, who has an insane track record (7 world champion titles, 105 Grand Prix victories). For me, it will be a huge opportunity to learn, to see how he works. And the team will also discover another way of working, it’s great. He will open the minds of the guys. And I, I want to show what I’m capable of with Lewis in the same car.
Exchange of Thoughts and Future Plans
“We’ve seen you interact a lot this year. Was it to build a relationship with him?”
No, it’s something natural. We’ve always had discussions in the past. But since we know we’ll be together next year, we’ve had more discussions. About the two passions we share outside of motorsport, music and fashion. On the sporting side, we both remained vague. We don’t want to tell each other certain secrets, we remain competitors (he smiles).
“Have you already planned to have dinner, either when he officially arrives in Maranello, or before?”
Not yet. But in Monaco, or in Maranello, we’re going to be neighbors. We’re going to spend quite a bit of time together in January, February, and March, so we’ll have the opportunity to do that.
“Do you both see yourselves fighting for the title?”
Of course! That would mean we’ve really done a great job. It would be exceptional.
“Aren’t you afraid that Frédéric Vasseur will favor one of you?”
If there’s no one else against us, no. I’m convinced.”
The Leclerc Brothers Raced Together
All the Monegasque drivers made the trip to attend the event. This hour of racing on the Emirati track where two brothers were racing together in the same team was not to be missed. On Friday, during the first free practice session, Charles Leclerc and Arthur Leclerc were each able to drive a Ferrari. This was despite the battery problems that handicapped the elder at the start of the session and will force him to serve a ten-place grid penalty tomorrow. “It’s less for the moment we’ll live together than for the realization of our family’s dream,” Charles confessed. “I had a dream and my father helped me. And then we had to stop for a while because he didn’t have the means anymore. And since Arthur wanted to do like me, we both went back to single-seaters with the support of Nicolas” (Todt, Charles’ manager).
Since then, Arthur has made his own way and has become a simulator driver in Maranello. “I even hold the record for hours spent in the simulator,” he slipped in on Friday. “And I’m launched into the endurance program.” As for the younger brother’s time (18th time, nearly two seconds behind his brother, the fastest of the session), he wasn’t worried. “It wasn’t my day,” he defended. “It was Ferrari’s, who’s playing for the title.” On the final lap, Charles pushed to join Arthur to immortalize the moment. The younger brother will be back behind the wheel Tuesday morning for the post-season test day.
