Leclerc: 'As a Ferrari driver, you don't often meet people like him'

Charles Leclerc was welcomed to Ferrari in 2019 as the Scuderia's future F1 champion. In the meantime, Leclerc has yet to get a car with which he could make a serious bid for the title. The Monegasque still believes in the team and talks about what would be the deciding factor for him to possibly leave.

Faith in Ferrari is key for Leclerc

In 2022, Ferrari seemed to have provided the Monegasque with a car in which Leclerc could show that he is worthy of the F1 world title. Leclerc's own mistakes, team strategic errors and management chaos meant Ferrari had to drop out of the title race against Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing. In 2023, Ferrari faces an even bigger deficit.

Leclerc's patience is being tested and midway through the current F1 season, his name has been linked to other F1 teams on several occasions. Speaking to The-Race.com, the Ferrari driver was asked how happy he is with the team. And more importantly, what would persuade him to leave Ferrari? Leclerc is in place for now and sounds positive.

"I view it in a way that whenever I won't believe in the project anymore, that probably will be the time when I'll have to go away," Leclerc says. "Because it’s in these kinds of situations that you don't get the best out of yourself, that you don't help the team as much as it needs to be helped. But this is definitely not the case at the moment. I believe in the project as much as I've ever believed in the project before. Especially since Fred arrived"

Vasseur provides good encouragement

Earlier in the interview, Leclerc explained why Vasseur is such an important asset for the team. In addition, Vasseur is also very important for Leclerc's personal growth. Leclerc: "He’s really good at motivating you when you need it, and to calm you down when you need it too. And he's always been very, very straightforward with me."

Leclerc continued: "This is exactly what I need - a person that is harsh on me when I'm not doing great, and a person that is telling me that I'm doing good. Which seems super simple, but then once you arrive in Formula 1, and you are a Ferrari driver, not as many people are as honest as that, and it's difficult to find those kinds of people."