Page 34 - PROTAGONIST 119

" I worked on my mental preparation right from the start. I focused on this

even when I was young. As I see it, the first attribute for a driver—or any
sportsman—is concentration, the power of the mind. This is the secret for

maintaining a competitive edge."

Pure talent, a lion in one-on-one duels, lightning CL: Yeah (laughing), that’s true. But I started this
fast in trials, and no deferential awe for a legendary mind training when I was ten, in my first races. I was
teammate like Sebastian Vettel: welcome to Planet really little. But doing that helped a lot because For-
Charles Leclerc. Ferrari proved it was keen sighted mula One is a sport that forces you to grow up quick-
when it chose him over other drivers, and now many ly. When you get here you have to be big right away.
see Leclerc as the future of Formula One. Right from You have to be on a par with the others, you have be a
the first GP in red, Charles amazed everyone with his contender. There are no deferments, no sitting on the
handling of (astronomical) pressure and his unshak- sidelines. It’s top level stuff, all the drivers go fast and
ably calm attitude. “It’s perfectly normal,” explains they make very few mistakes.
the Monegasque champion, “I’ve never been both-
ered by stress in my career.” VB: Every driver has his ups and downs, even
over the course of a single weekend of racing:
Vincenzo Borgomeo: Can that really be? what are the best and worst moments for a driver?
Charles Leclerc: I worked on my mental prepa - CL: It depends a lot on the race. Some are a lot of
ration right from the start. I focused on this even fun, lots of passing, sudden thrilling turns of events.
when I was young. As I see it, the first attribute for a Action. Others are a bit more boring, nothing particu-
driver—or any sportsman—is concentration, the pow- larly noteworthy happens. Pages 31 and 33: Charles Leclerc at Monaco Boat Service.
er of the mind. This is the secret for maintaining a
competitive edge. VB: But there must be some peak moment on
these weekends. What is it for Leclerc?
VB: These are things that normally come with CL: It’s the start for sure. There you have to be Photos: Carlo Fulgeri Gilbert
Ferrari SF90 at Monaco GP
experience. And you apparently already feel ma- totally focused, you can gain position, attack immedi-
ture in this regard . . . You’re only twenty-one years ately, and the cars are all racing very close together.
old, but earlier you said “when I was young . . .” It’s a really exhilarating sort of one-on-one combat.

32 Portrait Protagonist Protagonist Portrait 33