Arthur Leclerc: Playing in Monaco is a fantastic experience

This year, Charles Leclerc’s younger brother Arthur started working for Ferrari as a driver working on the car’s development, mainly driving the SF-24 in a simulator. Since Monaco is his home country, it is very logical that the Scuderia’s press service asked him several questions on the eve of the stage in the Mediterranean principality.

Q: A lot of racers live in Monte Carlo, but they are still in a different situation than Charles and you, because you are both Monegasques. What does the upcoming race mean to you?
Arthur Leclerc: The Monaco Grand Prix is ​​the most important thing for us. We were born in Monaco, went to school there and our relatives live there. Monte Carlo is a small city, and the Principality as a whole is a small country, so of course we get warm support at home.

Every year our whole family and friends come to the race, and in its own way it’s funny that the track is only a few hundred yards from our house. Of course there is more to it than that. The Monaco Grand Prix circuit has a rich history, is one of the most famous races in the world, if not the most famous, and has an absolutely fantastic atmosphere. And if you’re also a local racer, this is all felt twice as much.

Last year I raced there in Formula 2 and even though the weekend wasn’t good for me, racing in my hometown is an incomparable experience.

Q: There are many blind spots on the track and to qualify for a good result you have to learn to drive in such a way that the car literally crashes into the barriers, but does not allow more serious contact with the barriers. How should you act to show high speed in Monaco?
Arthur Leclerc: The Monaco Grand Prix is ​​not only a special race because of its history and the atmosphere of glamor that surrounds it. First of all, this is a very unusual circuit that runs through the winding streets of the principality, and to show good speeds you need to drive with maximum precision.

For example, it is very interesting to watch the recording of qualifying in slow motion: then you see how the drivers lightly scratch the bump stops with the wheels that are in the corner. To achieve such precise steering at high speeds, it is very important to gradually build confidence behind the wheel. To do this, you need to use every minute of every session effectively.

Ultimately, to be successful you have to gradually get into a rhythm and build up the right work throughout the weekend: this is what separates the drivers who are confident in qualifying from those who feel a sense of fear.

Q: This year you were among the Scuderia drivers who are refining their equipment, and you already had the chance to drive a Ferrari car. Can you share your impressions?
Arthur Leclerc: I am part of Ferrari’s car development program and help the team prepare for races by working in the simulator, but as a bonus I have already driven a real Formula 1 car twice. That was in January in Barcelona and in May in Fiorano.

Driving a Formula 1 car is an incredibly interesting experience. I will never forget the very first time I got behind the wheel in Barcelona. This is a really fast car, you immediately feel that as soon as you leave the pits.

I could feel all the power of it, feel how well it drove, especially compared to the Formula 2 cars I’m used to. In fact, it seemed to me that in terms of downforce it was more comparable to an F3 car. Of course there were a lot of new things for me, but it was great to work with Charles on the same track, especially driving a Ferrari. My dream came true, I can’t wait to repeat this experience!