Charles Leclerc has recorded a new statistic with his team Ferrari. The Monegasque is now the second most experienced driver at Scuderia. Leclerc has already raced 154 Grands Prix in Ferrari red, three more than former driver Kimi Räikkönen. Only Michael Schumacher has driven more for Ferrari; 180 Grands Prix in total. For Leclerc, it is strange that he is already in second place on this list: ‘I still feel so young’.
Charles Leclerc made his official debut for Ferrari in 2019, during the Australian Grand Prix. The Monegasque was already part of the Scuderia’s development program before that. He soon earned the nickname ‘Il Predestinato’; the destined driver who will bring Ferrari back to the top. Although Leclerc is still waiting for his first title with the Italian team, he has already set another remarkable statistic.
Leclerc is the most experienced Ferrari driver after Michael Schumacher. He has raced 154 Grands Prix for the Scuderia. Only the German world champion, with 180 Grands Prix, served Ferrari longer. “That’s really strange,” Leclerc said honestly when he heard in Miami that he is now in second place. “I still feel very young, and I remember my first year at Ferrari as if it were yesterday, but it’s something special.”
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“I love the team. I grew up in this team, even before I became a Formula 1 driver for Ferrari,” the Monegasque continued his reflection. “I was part of the Ferrari Driver Academy, so they have seen me grow up. Not only as a driver but also as a person, and that’s why it’s a very special team to drive for.”
World Champion
Of course, Leclerc has an even bigger goal in mind as a Ferrari driver. “I wouldn’t like to be remembered as the most experienced Ferrari driver; I would like to be remembered as a world champion for Ferrari, and that still has to happen,” he said. “That’s where my focus is. I wasn’t really aware of this statistical fact. I’m not really looking forward to being the first, I just want to win a world championship. That’s what I strive for every day and what I work for, and I hope that day comes.”
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