In a candid revelation, Charles Leclerc opened up about the emotional toll of negative comments surrounding his performance this season. Following his triumphant victory at the British Grand Prix, the Ferrari driver shared how he took a break from social media to shield himself from the negativity that had been clouding his racing experience.
Leclerc’s win at Silverstone marked a significant milestone, ending a dry spell that dated back to the 2024 U.S. Grand Prix. This victory also allowed him to outpace his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, for the first time since March’s Japanese Grand Prix. Reflecting on the win, Leclerc expressed the importance of perseverance during challenging times. “When things get tough, and that’s literally the situation I’ve been in the last few races, obviously there’s a lot of negativity around me,” he said. “It’s never a nice environment to work in.”
The 25-year-old driver emphasized the hard work he and his team put in to regain their competitive edge. “I’m super proud of the whole team that have been pushing me and helping me to find that feeling again with the car,” he noted. However, he remains cautious, understanding that this victory is just the beginning of a long journey to regain his form.
Leclerc explained that he actively sought to minimize the impact of negative commentary by limiting his online presence. “You try to cancel the noise as much as possible,” he said. “I try to not look at my phone and focus on what is relevant.” He acknowledged the volatile nature of public perception in Formula 1, where one moment a driver can be hailed as a hero, and the next, they can face intense criticism.
Despite showing improved performance at Silverstone, Leclerc is not ready to declare victory over his earlier struggles. “These cars are very specific and different from what we’ve been driving,” he remarked. “It took a bit more time to get used to it.” He admitted that a series of issues earlier in the season had affected his confidence and point standings.
As he looks ahead, Leclerc is determined to continue working hard and not take his recent success for granted. “It’s still the beginning. It’s only one race, and I must not get carried away thinking that the war is over,” he cautioned. With the challenges of the season still fresh in his mind, fans are left wondering: can Leclerc maintain this momentum and truly conquer the hurdles that lie ahead?
