Charles Leclerc is now the second most experienced driver in Ferrari’s Formula 1 history, a figure that leaves the Monegasque himself almost incredulous.
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Since his arrival at Ferrari in 2019, Charles Leclerc has gradually established himself as one of the main faces of the Scuderia. Season after season, the Monegasque driver has strengthened his status within the Italian team, to the point of becoming today a historic figure of Maranello.
With now 154 Grand Prix starts under the red colors, Leclerc officially holds second place in the ranking of the most capped drivers in Ferrari’s Formula 1 history. Only Michael Schumacher does better with 180 starts.
An impressive figure for a driver who is still only 28 years old and who seems to feel like he joined Ferrari yesterday.
“It’s strange, Leclerc admitted to the media. I still feel very young and it feels like my first season at Ferrari was just yesterday.”
The Monegasque could even surpass Schumacher as early as next season if he continues his adventure with the Scuderia.
A history that goes well before F1
Charles Leclerc’s attachment to Ferrari is not limited only to his years spent in Formula 1. Even before his debut in the premier category, the driver was already part of the Ferrari Driver Academy, the Italian brand’s junior program.
It is within this structure that Ferrari supported his progression through the feeder categories until his arrival in F1. A long-standing relationship that explains the very strong bond between Leclerc and the Italian team.
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“I love this team, explained the Ferrari driver. I grew up in this structure even before becoming a Formula 1 driver at Ferrari.”
Leclerc also emphasizes the human dimension of this special relationship with Maranello: “They have seen me evolve, not just as a driver, but also as a person. It’s a very special place to race.”
Leclerc doesn’t want to be just “the most experienced”
Despite this impressive statistic, Charles Leclerc refuses to be satisfied with a simple longevity record. The Monegasque clearly states: his goal remains above all to become world champion with Ferrari.
“I wouldn’t like to be remembered as the most experienced Ferrari driver, he said. I would like to be remembered as a world champion with Ferrari, and that still remains to be achieved.”
The Monegasque driver even admits that he was not particularly following this statistic before it was presented to him.
“I didn’t even really know I was second on this list, he added. I’m not especially trying to become number one on this ranking. I mainly want to win a world championship.”
A statement that perfectly illustrates Charles Leclerc’s mindset, always focused on a single goal: bringing a world title back to Ferrari for the first time since 2007.
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