Leclerc recalls special memory after joining Ferrari academy

  • Published on 15 Apr 2020 09:15
  • comments 0
  • By: Coilin Higgins

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has recalled his first visit to the Ferrari factory, and how joining the team's driver academy in 2015 was a proud moment.

Leclerc reveals that his first visit to the factory was with friend and godfather Jules Bianchi, who was also a member of the academy.

Bianchi himself was tipped to be a future Ferrari star, but a tragic accident during 2014's Japanese Grand Prix saw the Marussia driver sadly succumb to his injuries the following July.

Leclerc himself joined the academy in 2015, and remembered how he felt very nervous and scared upon joining the academy.

Leclerc would go on to win the 2016 GP3 championship and 2017 F2 championship before an impressive F1 debut with Sauber in 2018, moving on to the Ferrari team in 2019.

“I was probably 11 or 12 and it was with Jules Bianchi, I actually arrived in the city but I couldn’t enter Ferrari yet as I didn’t have the pass to go in,” Leclerc said in a recent Ferrari Q&A.

“I remember watching at the Ferrari facilities from the outside and being very impressed and dreaming of being in there one day. Now, it is a bit easier for me to go into the factory.

“I joined in 2015 and what I can remember is that it was quite special. I went to Maranello with my father, I was very shy, very afraid. It was very impressive when we entered the gates.

"Two days later, they let us know that I was accepted in the Ferrari Driver Academy. It was a great day and a great moment in my career that’s allowed me to arrive where I am now.”

Leclerc hails Schumacher as his 'Ferrari hero'

Leclerc revealed also in the Q&A that Michael Schumacher was the driver he idolized most in Formula 1.

Schumacher won five straight driver's world championships during his eleven seasons with the Scuderia, helping the team also to six straight titles between 1999 and 2004.

Sixteen years on from Schumacher's final world title with the team and Leclerc is now seen as the future driver for the team, signing a contract in 2019 that will see him drive for the team until the end of 2024.

“The Ferrari driving hero for me, and I think for many, was probably Michael. I was young when he was winning but it was always very impressive and any time I was watching Formula 1, especially Ferrari, it was obviously Michael that I was looking at,” Leclerc commented.

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 1,121
  • Podiums 32
  • Grand Prix 128
  • Country MC
  • Date of b. Oct 16 1997 (26)
  • Place of b. Monte Carlo, MC
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar