Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s Formula 1 driver, emphasized the importance of remaining authentic amid the high-pressure and public nature of the sport as he prepares for the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend. Speaking prior to the race scheduled for October 9-11 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, Leclerc reflected on his personal and professional growth since his debut in 2018.
Leclerc, who began his career with Sauber before joining Ferrari in 2019, has evolved significantly over his nearly decade-long tenure in Formula 1. He acknowledged changes both on and off the track, including racing alongside four different teammates and experiencing a recent change in his personal life with marriage. Despite these developments, the Monegasque driver stressed the importance of staying true to himself, regardless of external attention.
“When there’s attention or when there’s no attention, it’s all about trying to be me, as much as possible, without any filters,” Leclerc said during an event held in Singapore on October 7, where he greeted fans at a Ray-Ban promotional gathering. The driver noted the challenges of maintaining authenticity amid constant media scrutiny but described it as his guiding principle.
Leclerc credited his close friends and longtime supporters for helping him remain grounded throughout his career, emphasizing the value of maintaining real connections amid the sport’s pressures. Reflecting on his journey since his start at Sauber at age 20, he acknowledged significant personal growth and increased maturity. “I’m a lot more mature than I was back then,” he said, highlighting how varied experiences—including both successes and setbacks—have shaped his approach and mindset as a driver. He described himself as more patient, structured, and disciplined compared to his early days in F1.
Approaching his 29th birthday on October 16, Leclerc expressed that his passion for racing remains undiminished. “Racing has always been my passion. I started when I was 3½ years old and the passion is still as alive as it was when I started back then.” Despite changes in life and career, he said his commitment and enthusiasm for each race weekend have remained steady.
This weekend, Leclerc aims to secure his first Singapore Grand Prix victory, having previously started from pole position twice but never winning at the venue. Currently fourth in the drivers’ standings with 191 points, he trails championship leader Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, who holds 320 points, followed by teammate George Russell with 236 points and Leclerc’s Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton with 214 points.
Leclerc acknowledged the importance of moving forward after each race, whether after disappointments or triumphs. “You cannot really think too much about the past. You’ve got to keep looking forward and keep pushing the boundaries,” he said. “It’s all about looking ahead and that’s the mentality, no matter if it’s going well or not.”
He remains confident facing the challenge of Singapore’s demanding tropical conditions, which are known for their heat and humidity. Leclerc said he had trained extensively to prepare and expressed eagerness to return to the car.
Meanwhile, ahead of the race weekend, another figure in the racing community made an unconventional entrance into Singapore. Cadillac driver Valtteri Bottas completed a bicycle ride of nearly 420 kilometers from Sappeng, Thailand, arriving on October 7 after a multi-day journey that began following the Bahrain Grand Prix. Bottas covered over 40 kilometers on the final day, highlighting a distinctive mode of arrival to the city-state.