Charles Leclerc is on the Right Track

Photography by Emma Panchot

Styled by Vanessa Bellugeon

Who is Charles Leclerc? With the success of Netflix’s docuseries Formula 1: Drive to Survive, the world of racing has finally breached American shores and made its way into the hearts of the people. Drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo, and Max Verstappen have reached the same celebrity status as NBA or NFL athletes. But it was Charles Leclerc’s story in the show’s premiere season that made him a fan favorite.

At 26 years old, Charles Leclerc has competed in over 130 F1 Grand Prix, achieved 22 pole positions, won five races, and scored a Grand Slam. Would you really expect anything less from someone who grew up in Monaco, where racing is a part of the national culture? It was Leclerc's father, Hervé, a former Formula 3 driver, who introduced him to the world of racing. While staying home from school one day, Hervé took him go-karting at a track owned by his friend Phillipe Bianchi. That day, driving around in the red car—his favorite color—young Charles fell in love with the sport. He watched his first Grand Prix at a friend’s apartment overlooking the Monte Carlo circuit. He was rooting for the red cars, unaware that they belonged to Scuderia Ferrari, his future F1 team. Charles Leclerc’s godfather, the late Jules Bianchi, Phillipe’s son, drove for the Marussia F1 team before his death in 2015 from a severe injury sustained during a collision in the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. 

La Rossa is not only synonymous with fast cars, but also with fashion. Over the past few years, Ferrari, with the leadership of Creative Director Rocco Iannone (an Armani alum), has developed a line of its own that regularly shows during Milan Fashion Week; Charles Leclerc is a proud brand ambassador. But that's not his only tie to fashion. Leclerc was also the face of Giorgio Armani's Spring/Summer 2020 Men's Made to Measure campaign, and has served as one of APM Monaco's brand ambassadors since 2022. 

His cool determination has made him one of the sport’s fiercest competitors, but it’s his understated confidence off the track that’s won the affections of fans across the globe. Affable in interviews, suave on the red carpet, and always focused on the next race, Charles Leclerc has amassed a generation of newly minted American F1 fans who are eager to see the Monegasque driver and his team finally take home the elusive World Championship. After coming in second to Belgian-Dutch driver Max Verstappen last season, the young driver is still chasing after that title. But with his signature mix of swagger and humility, he’s certainly on the right track. 

Earlier this year, Charles Leclerc renewed his contract with Ferrari. "I believe the best is yet to come and I can’t wait for this season to start, to make further progress and be competitive at every race," Leclerc noted in a statement. Clearly, Leclerc is excited about his journey with Ferrari and is optimistic about their continued success. As he embarks on this new chapter, fans eagerly anticipate witnessing his continued growth and achievements on and off the racetrack.