Charles Leclerc

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Born and raised in Monte Carlo, Leclerc began competitive kart racing aged seven. After a successful karting career—culminating in his victory at the junior World Cup in 2011—Leclerc graduated to junior formulae. Progressing directly to Formula Renault 2.0, he finished runner-up to Nyck de Vries in the Alps Series and achieved several podium finishes in the Eurocup. Leclerc graduated to FIA European Formula 3 in 2015, winning several races as he finished fourth in his rookie season. He won his first championship at the 2016 GP3 Series with ART. Leclerc then won the inaugural FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2017 with Prema, becoming the fourth driver to win the GP2/F2 championship in their rookie season and breaking several records. Leclerc made his Formula One debut in 2018 with Sauber as part of the Ferrari Driver Academy, scoring several points finishes in the C37. He joined Ferrari for 2019 to partner Sebastian Vettel and became the second-youngest polesitter in Formula One history at the Bahrain Grand Prix; he took his maiden career win in Belgium, before ending Ferrari's record nine-year drought at the Italian Grand Prix, which saw him nicknamed 'il Predestinato' in Italian media. After winless seasons for Ferrari in 2020 and 2021, Leclerc took several victories and finished runner-up to Max Verstappen in the 2022 World Drivers' Championship. Following five pole positions and six podiums in his 2023 campaign, Leclerc won the Monaco Grand Prix in 2024, becoming the first Monégasque driver to win the race in 93 years; he achieved further victories in Italy and the United States as he finished third in the championship. Partnered by Lewis Hamilton from 2025 onwards, he returned to victory in Britain following new regulations in 2026. As of the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, Leclerc has achieved nine race wins, 13 fastest laps, and 54 podiums in Formula One; he also holds the record for the most pole positions without a World Drivers' Championship (27). Leclerc is contracted to remain at Ferrari until at least the end of the 2028 season. Outside of motor racing, Leclerc collaborated with pianist Sofiane Pamart on an extended play, Dreamers (2024), which peaked at number two on the Billboard Classical Albums chart.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Charles Leclerc at Ferrari is defined by emotional highs and relentless pursuit of excellence. In 2019, he delivered his first career win in Belgium and later broke a nine-year drought for Ferrari at Monza, a moment that cemented his status as "il Predestinato." Although the team struggled with wins in 2020 and 2021, Leclerc rebounded in 2022 to secure multiple victories and finish second in the championship. His career reached a historic peak in 2024 when he won the Monaco Grand Prix, becoming the first Monégasque driver to win his home race in 93 years. He added further victories in Italy and the United States that season, finishing third in the standings. Looking ahead, Leclerc is set to partner Lewis Hamilton from 2025 onwards, with a return to victory scheduled for Britain under new regulations in 2026.

Reader's Guide

Charles Marc Hervé Perceval Leclerc was born on 16 October 1997 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. His father, Hervé Leclerc, was a racing driver who competed in Formula Three in the 1980s, whilst his mother, Pascale, is a former hairdresser who operated a hair salon in Fontvieille. His paternal step-grandfather founded the Novares Group, a French manufacturing company; he helped cover miscellaneous costs throughout Leclerc's karting career, but not the racing itself. Leclerc studied at the Lycée Albert Premier in Monaco-Ville. Hervé died after a long illness, aged 54, four days before Leclerc won the feature race at the 2017 Baku Formula 2 round. Prior to his death, Leclerc lied to his father that he had signed a Formula One contract for the 2018 season; he signed with Sauber later that year. His older maternal half-brother, Lorenzo Tolotta-Leclerc, was best friends with Jules Bianchi—Leclerc's godfather until his death in 2015 and his mechanic in kart racing. His younger brother, Arthur, is also a racing driver who has competed in open-wheel and sportscar racing, winning the Formula Regional Asian Championship in 2022. Leclerc first began karting aged five and started racing at Brignoles—a kart circuit owned by Jules Bianchi's father. He began his competitive career in 2005, winning the regional PACA championship in the Mini class with 15 wins from 18 races, which he successfully defended in 2006. He advanced to Minime in 2007, winning the Trophée Claude Secq and finishing runner-up at the PACA championship. The following year, he finished fifth in the Bridgestone Cup and runner-up in the French Championship, as well as winning the PACA title. Progressing to the Cadet class in 2009, Leclerc won the French Championship and Bridgestone Cup, as well as the regional Rhône-Alpes title. He partnered with Richard Mille that year, which supported him through the remainder of his karting career. Leclerc progressed to international competition in 2010, entering the junior KF3 class, where he became the youngest winner of the CIK-FIA Monaco Kart Cup—his home event at the Circuit de Monaco. He finished twenty-ninth on his World Cup debut, fifth in the inaugural Academy Trophy, and runner-up to Pierre Gasly in the French Championship. Leclerc was scouted by Nicolas Todt in 2011, joining his All Road Management firm upon recommendation from Bianchi. Todt negotiated his move to Int

Did You Know?

• Leclerc holds the record for the most pole positions without a World Drivers' Championship (27).
• He became the first Monégasque driver to win the Monaco Grand Prix in 93 years, doing so in 2024.
• Leclerc's father Hervé died four days before Leclerc won the feature race at the 2017 Baku Formula 2 round.
• He collaborated with pianist Sofiane Pamart on an extended play, Dreamers (2024), which peaked at number two on the Billboard Classical Albums chart.