Charles Leclerc’s Emotional Journey: From a Father’s Dream to F1 Triumph

Charles Leclerc shares a deeply emotional account of a conversation with his father Herve

Charles Leclerc shared a heartfelt story about a discussion he had with his dad just before his father's passing.

In 2017, Herve Leclerc passed away as his gifted son was on the path to securing the Formula 2 championship.

Together, they aspired for Charles to secure a position as a Formula 1 driver.

Charles mistakenly informed his father that he had secured a Formula 1 contract just a short time before Herve's death.

"Charles shared with The Gentleman's Journal, expressing the significance of their shared experiences, 'It was incredibly meaningful for us, considering we've been on this entire journey side by side.'"

I found it incredibly hard to come to terms with his departure before I had the chance to ink my initial Formula 1 agreement.

Initially, I felt quite upset with myself for not being truthful with him, but fortunately, I ended up signing the genuine contract shortly after his departure.

"I was living out my dream, yet I felt relieved for having remained truthful to him when it all came down to it."

Currently, Leclerc stands as a victorious Grand Prix driver for Ferrari, harboring aspirations for the championship title. This season marked his inaugural victory at his local Monaco race.

His journey in F1 began alongside his father.

He shared a different memory from his younger years, saying, "I deceived my dad by claiming [I was sick]. I said I was under the weather, which was a lie, because I simply wanted to avoid school, and he took my word for it, resulting in him having to look after me.

"By chance, he needed to visit his closest friend, Philippe Bianchi, who at that moment was overseeing a go-kart track located about an hour and a half away from Monaco, and I accompanied him."

Leclerc had his inaugural experience in kart racing.

"From that moment forward, it became crystal clear that was what I wanted to pursue," he expressed.

Charles recalled, "My dad was involved in every aspect and guided me through the necessary steps to reach Formula 1."

"His enthusiasm was clear, and his top concern was my well-being. The moment he noticed my interest, his focus shifted to providing me with the guidance necessary to excel in the sport."

Charles has also experienced the loss of another crucial figure in his Formula 1 career and personal life – Jules Bianchi, a fellow racer and Charles' godfather.

"Charles mentioned, 'Interestingly, he was the child of my dad's closest companion, who happened to be overseeing the go-kart track the day I had my first go at it.'"

"He supported my professional journey until, regrettably, he was involved in an accident in Japan in 2014."

Jules Bianchi passed away in 2015 at the age of 25, as a result of injuries he suffered during the 2014 F1 Japanese Grand Prix.

Current drivers often honor him, notably his godson Charles Leclerc, who consistently acknowledges his influence.

Charles shared, "The individuals who are no longer with me were those who desired my utmost success. Whenever I pondered over 'what would their wishes for me be?' it became clear quite swiftly that my dad's hope would simply be for me to wear the helmet and secure victories in the races."

Mentally preparing for various scenarios is something I've mastered, particularly in my career, such as maintaining concentration and calmness during high-pressure moments.

"However, there's truly no preparation for the challenging personal experiences one must face."

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