Leclerc reveals hardest part of F1 life with surprising grid admission

The Ferrari driver, who appeared on the BSMT Podcast, highlighted a surprisingly unconventional part of a race weekend, far removed from the high-speed, precision-driven action on track.

Leclerc explained that he finds the moments after the reconnaissance laps to the grid, ahead of the Grand Prix start, particularly difficult. The Monegasque described how challenging it can be to absorb all the necessary information in such a short space of time, and why he prefers to remain in what he calls his “own bubble.”

“To enter the grid, I think that’s one of the most difficult things in our sport,” Leclerc explained.

“We do two or three laps to go to the grid. Then we stop on the grid, and we get out of the car. We have, I think, about 20 minutes more or less to get out of the car, talk to the engineers, do the last brief, and then get back in the car. In those minutes on the grid, there are thousands of people,” he added.

“Obviously, there are sponsors, sometimes there are some fans who ask you for photos and to talk. But in that moment, for me, it’s full of all the information I need to have for the whole race. So it’s fundamental for me to stay in my own bubble, and that’s the hardest thing,” he concluded.

The period before the start of a Grand Prix is often regarded as one of the busiest parts of the weekend, with the grid packed full of team personnel, VIPs, media, and guests, all adding to the intense atmosphere before lights out.

Earlier, Leclerc also offered a simple yet revealing take on Formula 1’s leading teams in a recent interview.

The 28-year-old Ferrari driver was tasked with describing Scuderia Ferrari and its rivals – Mercedes, McLaren, and Red Bull – using just one word.

Leclerc had a few choice words to describe the four teams, labelling Ferrari as “passion” before sharing his thoughts on the other outfit.

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