Charles Leclerc arrived at Thursday’s Monaco Grand Prix press conference having already made headlines — his contract renewal with Scuderia Ferrari was announced just a day earlier. The timing was deliberate in its symbolism: Monaco’s most celebrated sporting son, back on the streets where he grew up, committed to the team he has always loved, with unfinished business on both counts.
Monaco Life’s Cassandra Tanti was among the press in the room as Leclerc addressed the season so far, the Ferrari-Mercedes battle, his complicated relationship with this circuit, and what it means to now have a corner of Monaco dedicated to his legacy.
Charles, how would you assess the first part of the season — are you satisfied, or is it a mixed picture?
A little mixed, because there are positive aspects and others that are less positive. I think we are in a very positive dynamic as a team, with a lot of innovations on the car, and that is always a positive sign for the races and for the future.
On the other hand, Mercedes is still quite a long way ahead for the moment and has a significant advantage that we need to reduce as quickly as possible.
Congratulations on extending your contract with Ferrari. Was this a decision from the heart as much as anything else?
Yes, I am extremely happy. It is the continuation of many years during which we have built the team together.
This is my team. I have always dreamed of being in a team like Ferrari since I was a child, and today that dream continues, with the clear objective of becoming world champion with Ferrari during this contract.
The reasons are simple: it is from the heart. This is the team I have known for ten years now. I believe in the project, and a large part of that is because of Fred. The relationship I have had with him over the years is very special, and I believe enormously in Fred and in what he is building.
Ferrari’s chances in Monaco
The FIA announced that active aerodynamics would be switched off in Monaco this year, and many are saying that will play in Ferrari’s favour. Do you think you’ve got the advantage heading into this weekend? — Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life
More than the FIA changes, it is more about the regulations as a whole. We have had a very aggressive approach in terms of chassis — our car has a very strong chassis. We know we are lacking some power, and we are working on that, but on a circuit like Monaco – power is a little less important, which should be a good sign for us. However, we are up against very strong opponents. So I think it is going to be close.
Many people are already saying Ferrari is going to be on top all weekend — I don’t think that’s going to be the case. But if there is one track this year where I have the best chance of winning, it is here, and I hope we can take that chance.
Racing at home
Do you feel any extra stress racing on the streets of your hometown?
There is an element of stress, but not because I am in Monaco — because of the track itself. Monaco is a very challenging circuit for all drivers. There is no room for mistakes because the walls are so close, which as a driver is exciting, but when you get to qualifying you need to take every risk possible to do the best job you can.
The pressure builds, but it is more excitement than anything — I am just happy to be here and proud to represent such a small country in what is, for me, the most iconic Formula 1 race in the world. It is an honour to represent Monaco in Monaco, and hopefully to win again like I did in 2024.
You always receive tremendous support from your fans here. Does that motivate you, or does it add pressure?
It motivates me. More than anything, it is motivation. The pressure is already there because I drive for Ferrari. When you are a Ferrari driver, you have millions of people following Ferrari and supporting the team all year long, at every race. The pressure and responsibility are already there.
Being in Monaco, on the streets where I have lived my whole life, with my friends on the balconies and my family here as well, adds more emotion than pressure.
At the end of the day, there are still only 25 points available for a win, just like at any other Grand Prix. But emotionally, it is a very important race for me.
On technology
Formula 1 is increasingly driven by technology. You grew up in karting without much data at all. How do you view that evolution and the balance between human instinct and technology?
It is an extremely interesting and important dynamic nowadays.
I grew up in karting where there was not really any data. We were focused mainly on intuition and on what we felt in the kart. Then I moved into single-seaters, where we started having the first data from the throttle, brake, and steering wheel. That was the first time we could explain more precisely to engineers what we felt in the car.
As you move up through the categories, you get more sensors and more data to analyse. Today in Formula 1 we have an enormous amount of data. The issue is not a lack of data. The issue is the lack of time between sessions to analyse all of it.
Now, with artificial intelligence, we can process and analyse that data much faster, and that helps enormously.
But there is always a balance. Today, I would not say the hardest thing is optimising a Formula 1 car on paper. Every team more or less knows how to do that. The challenge is figuring out how the human being fits into that.
As a driver, I have setup preferences that do not always appear in the engineers’ predictions. So the communication between engineer and driver is particularly important. The engineers need to understand exactly what the driver wants in order for him to feel comfortable in the car.
The circuit itself
Monaco has changed enormously in terms of infrastructure and safety. Would you change anything about the circuit itself?
The infrastructure and safety systems, barriers and so on, have improved enormously.
But in terms of the circuit itself, it remains essentially the same, and I think that is what makes it so unique. People often say that it is not necessarily the race of the year. But for me, Saturday makes the whole weekend unique and different from all the others. That is also why we all love Monaco so much. All the drivers always look forward to Monaco.
So no, I would not change it.
Hamilton and the internal battle
Last year you outscored Lewis by 86 points. This year, after five races, the gap is much smaller. How do you explain that?
Lewis is incredibly talented and has achieved far more than I have in this sport. Last year was not easy for him and I think he was unlucky on many occasions. This year, with this car, he felt comfortable straight away — for me there has been a bit more work to do, particularly in China and Montreal. I never doubted it would be close, and that is a good thing because we push each other to unlock more performance on both sides.
Our relationship has clearly evolved too. Lewis now knows the team much better — he knows exactly which people to ask for particular information. Those may seem like small details, but at a team the size of Ferrari, with around 1,500 people, they make a big difference. We have always gotten along extremely well, but now everything is a bit smoother, and that is only positive for both of us.
La Rascasse
Charles, you are clearly Monaco’s most celebrated sporting son — so much so that La Rascasse, one of the most iconic corners on the circuit, now has an entire bar dedicated to you and your career. Did you have any creative input in that? And how does it feel to have your legacy cemented in Monaco in ways like this? — Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life
Obviously the idea didn’t come from me. SBM (Société des bains de mer) approached me and said “We are thinking about creating something in Monaco with regards to sports, racing specifically, and doing something about you would make sense — what do you think we could put in La Rascasse?” That is where I became a little more involved, helping them identify the key moments to feature.
It was a nice process. Unfortunately I haven’t had the time to go yet, but I have seen the pictures and it looks super nice. I have always dreamed of being in the position I am in today, and to see that a piece of my career will stay in La Rascasse permanently — that is an honour for me.
See also:
Monaco GP: Why the FIA’s active aero ban could hand Charles Leclerc his moment at home
Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.
Main photo source: Scuderai Ferrari Media Centre