EXCLUSIVE
HelloMonaco : Mr . Leclerc , at the end of 2020 you wished to find an even more competitive car to bring Ferrari back to the top of the standings , are you satisfied with the result achieved so far at the tests in view of the upcoming F1 World Championship ?
Charles Leclerc : It is still too early to make predictions now . For sure , many relevant improvements have been introduced in the new car , starting with its drivability . We continue to test the performance of the F1 car as we did in Bahrain and we are doing well collecting important data . It is quite a complex system of calculations and requires time . The goal I was speaking of refers to the medium to long term . For the 2020 – 2021 Season , technical regulations still prevent us from working freely to improve machine components the way we wish . Moreover , last year was really tough and it trained me to face the difficult moments where it is more difficult to find the right mental balance . And you always learn from mistakes . Thus , we currently want to climb new steps without claiming miracles . So , we aim at the best for the future and we are getting ready 200 % to get close to victory ! I am super motivated looking forward to the first race .
: How do you feel coming back to the Grand Prix de Monaco ?
CL : I am so thrilled to compete ‘ at home ’. It is always a special feeling for me since I was born here . Last year , I was a bit disappointed when I heard that the race had been cancelled although I realized that the situation did not allow it . Finally , in 2021 they found a solution to make it as safe as possible and I am very proud to compete in Monaco . It really means a lot to me , more than anything else , recalling good memories from the past . When I was 4 – 5 years old , I was already watching the F1 Grand Prix from the balcony of my best friends ’ house dreaming about being in the place of F1 drivers . Now , I have such pleasure being part of this skilled Team and this is a great achievement in front of my family , my teachers and my friends . I do hope to generate great emotions among my supporters and to the
Scuderia Ferrari in my hometown .
Last year was really tough and it trained me to face the difficult moments where it is more difficult to find the right mental balance .
: How did you feel about racing without an audience ?
CL : It was not easy at all . Looking at supporters around you while competing always counts a lot . But the encouraging words I received through Social Media were just amazing so I thank you very much — all my followers . I feel that most people have noticed that I am doing a good job in harmony with the car and this pushes me to put my best foot forward .
: This is your first Season with Carlos Sainz , how do you get along with him ?
CL : Since the beginning of the Season , I have been spending a lot of time with Carlos to best work together and understand each other . We are getting along very well having similar interests and belonging to the same generation . We are in perfect line with Ferrari ’ s philosophy to play as a team . I definitely feel at ease in Ferrari ’ s big team with a lot of experience .
: Who is your favourite idol in Formula 1 ?
CL : Any F1 driver has his own style of driving the race car and I always learn something . As for the past , Ayrton Senna is the one I feel more attached to even though I have never met him in my life , obviously . He has a special bond with Monaco where I grew up . So , many partners in F1 told me about that champion . I watched the movie devoted to him and I read some books on his impressive knowledge . There is something in that driver that makes me admire him a lot .
: Do you have a good-luck charm or ritual you can ’ t go ahead without ?
CL : Actually , I don ’ t . The most important thing is that I am physically ready to face each race . Sometimes I thought of following a certain routine but I decided to stay away from it because it is not a good thing on the mental level .
The most important thing is that I am physically ready to face each race .
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Hello Monaco Spring 2021 / 49 www . hellomonaco . com