Charles Leclerc admitted that he feels very great responsibility when he drives his Ferrari in 2019. In his first season with the team, he has outperformed its top driver, Sebastian Vettel, and is fourth in the drivers’ championship.
Speaking on Italian television, Leclerc answered frankly a few questions from Alex Zanardi, a former Formula 1 driver.
“After the following year I find myself in that in one of the two seats a very large honor when the opportunity is finally to drive a car that allows you to show what you’re doing.” Leclerc said.
“There is pressure, you feel a big responsibility, but I think that’s how it is even at 30 when a driver gets into a Ferrari. But every time I get in the car, I focus on the work I have to do, and if I do it perfectly, I trust the results will come.” Leclerc added.
During his motorsport career, Leclerc suffered painful moments. The first was in 2015 when he lost his friend Jules Bianchi, who died of his injuries after an accident at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.
The second highlight for Leclerc was the death of his father in 2017, which will not prevent him from winning the Azerbaijan Grand Prix the same week in Formula 2.
Then last year, it was another boyfriend’s turn to lose his life. Frenchman Anthoine Hubert kills himself in Spa after a terrible accident in Formula 2, but again, Leclerc will find the mental strength necessary to win the Belgian Grand Prix at the wheel of his Ferrari.
“The lack of my father and Jules made me mentally stronger and also made me realize that there is something other than motorsport, family, which is the most important thing. When all is well, you don’t notice it much.” Leclerc said.
“Running has always been good for me, even when I lost them, because it is my passion, I am happy to drive when I am in the car. With Anthoine (Hubert), who died in 2019, it was different, because every time I spent the place of his accident at Spa, it was very difficult, I lost a friend there.” Leclerc added.
