Charles Leclerc has reached a milestone few Ferrari drivers have approached, becoming the second most experienced driver in the Scuderia’s storied Formula 1 history. Since his debut with Ferrari in 2019, the Monegasque has clocked 154 grands prix for the Italian powerhouse, trailing only Michael Schumacher’s record of 180 starts. As Leclerc continues with the team, he is poised to surpass the legendary German next year, a testament to his longevity and consistency at the pinnacle of motorsport.
Despite this achievement, Leclerc remains grounded, describing the milestone as “strange.” He told media, “I still feel very young, and I remember my first year in Ferrari just like yesterday, but it’s special.” His connection to Ferrari runs deep, having been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy long before stepping into the F1 cockpit. “I was in the Ferrari Driver Academy, so they saw me grow up and not only as a driver, but also as a person, so it’s a very special place to drive for,” he added.
Yet, the 25-year-old driver makes it clear that experience alone is not his goal. “I wouldn’t love to be remembered as the most experienced driver of Ferrari, I would love to be remembered as a world champion for Ferrari and this is still to be done,” Leclerc stated emphatically. His focus remains fixed on securing the ultimate prize in Formula 1. “I’m not really looking forward to becoming the first, but I just want to win a world championship. That’s what I’m trying and working for every day and I hope that this day will come.”
Leclerc’s words underline the pressure and ambition driving him as he chases Ferrari’s first title in over a decade. While he may be approaching a record for race appearances, his eyes are set firmly on rewriting the history books as a world champion under the prancing horse banner.
