Ferrari‘s Charles Leclerc has opened up on the difficulties of being a Formula 1 driver, citing the pre-race grid as “one of the most difficult things” that comes with the job.
Formula 1 is a unique sport on several levels, but particularly when it comes to pre-race duties. Whilst in most sports, athletes are isolated in dressing rooms, F1 drivers are exposed from the minute they arrive at the track.
Despite having a few hours in their garages and hospitality units, drivers are often in the spotlight every other minute.
Whilst fans enjoy watching pre-race content, such as Marin Brundle’s grid walk, Leclerc highlighted that for drivers, this is an extremely overwhelming time.
“To enter the grid, I think that’s one of the most difficult things in our sport,” Lecler told the BSMT podcast.
“We do two or three laps to go to the grid. Then we stop on the grid, we get out of the car. We have, I think, about 20 minutes more or less to get out of the car, talk to the engineers, do the last brief, and then get back in the car.”
The Ferrari driver emphasised that it’s hard to stay locked into the task ahead. Especially with all the outside noise just meters away.
“In those minutes on the grid, there are thousands of people,” he said.
“Obviously there are sponsors, sometimes there are some fans who ask you for photos and to talk. But in that moment, for me, it’s full of all the information.
“I need to have for the whole race. So it’s fundamental for me to stay in my own bubble, and that’s the hardest thing.”
How Leclerc deals with the ‘difficulties’ of being an F1 driver
This popularity was a foreign concept to Leclerc when he graduated from Formula 2. In smaller series such as F2, drivers are less known, and thus, it’s harder to get caught up in the pre-race commitments.
The Monegasque admitted that since making the move to the top series and becoming one of the most well-known drivers on the grid, he has had to change his approach to race day.
“I had to change my approach from Formula 2 to Formula 1,” Leclerc highlighted.
“In Formula 2 nobody knows you. You did your whole career quietly, you got into the car and that was it.”
The eight-time Grand Prix winner contrasted this with his arrival in F1. In which he was immediately bombarded and found it difficult to manage.
“Then you arrive in Formula 1 and there are hundreds of thousands of people around.
“That was very difficult to manage in the first races, then you adapt to everything. But this is something particularly difficult.
“I’d say about 30 minutes before getting into the car to do the two or three laps that take you to the grid.
“I have a routine that I practically always do, more or less the same. A cold shower, physical warm-up, etc.
“By always doing the same things, it helps me to reset and get back to the same mental state I need to get in.”
Leclerc’s pre-race rituals will certainly be put to use when F1 returns for the Miami Grand Prix.
Whilst being the first race in five weeks, the Florida race always attracts a large number of sponsors and fans.
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