Leclerc can't take this criticism: 'Hits me harder than other things'

Charles Leclerc has only had three seasons in Formula 1, but he is already one of the stars of the sport. And as the saying goes, tall trees catch a lot of wind.

Track performance

After just one season with Alfa Romeo, Leclerc was promoted and moved to Ferrari. The confidence in the young driver paid off with victories in Belgium and Italy. Moreover, at the end of the season he was higher in the championship than teammate and four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel. Although Ferrari fared a lot worse in 2020, he once again outperformed his teammate.

Leclerc's performances on the track have received little criticism, but he has regularly been accused of being arrogant. A criticism he, as quoted by Speedweek.com, has little understanding for. "This criticism hits me harder than other things that are said, because I know very well that I have not changed," Leclerc defends himself.

Less open

However, Leclerc does admit that he has become less open because many people want to contact him because he is the new Ferrari star and not because of him as a person. "So I close myself off a bit, but it's not arrogance. I haven't changed in that respect.

"Everything in my career has moved quite fast and in the right direction, but I have always kept the advice to keep my feet on the ground in the back of my mind," he further explained. "That's why the word arrogance bothers me so much."