Charles Leclerc has told that as a teenager he once visited the Ferrari factory in Maranello, but was denied entry. Years later, this appears to add to his motivation to one day race for the Scuderia.

As a young karter who aspired to one day race in Formula 1, it was Ferrari that was part of the Monegasque's dreams. When Leclerc's godfather Jules Bianchi, who was a member of Ferrari's Diver Academy at the time, suggested that his pupil accompany him to Maranello, the young teenager seized the opportunity with both hands. As the pair made their way to the golden gates of the factory, Leclerc was denied entry.

Disappointed

"The very first time I came here, I was not allowed to enter Scuderia Ferrari's factory because I was maybe 12 years old," he recalled in a video provided by Shell-sponsored video. It was a big disappointment for the young aspiring champion, but one that ultimately fuelled his burning desire to one day race for Ferrari. "From that moment, and even before that, I always wanted to be a Ferrari driver. Coming inside those doors and not being able to see everything that was inside, I think that gave me even more motivation to work as hard as ever to be able to get here one day."