Charles Leclerc admires Jules Bianchi for his unwavering determination, expressing deep respect for his late friend as the tenth anniversary of Bianchi’s passing approaches. The two Formula 1 drivers forged a close friendship during their youth, with Leclerc viewing Bianchi, who was eight years his senior, as a mentor both on and off the track. Their families have remained close over the years, highlighting the strong bond between them.
Leclerc cherishes many memories from their time together, especially recalling how Bianchi, born just 20 kilometers from Monaco in Nice, France, exemplified dedication and resilience. The Monegasque driver often emphasizes the relentless drive Bianchi showed to improve himself every day, a quality that left a lasting impression.
The Remarkable Dedication Behind Bianchi’s Competitiveness
Leclerc vividly remembers Bianchi’s obsessive commitment to mastering his weaknesses, highlighting his constant efforts to sharpen all aspects of his performance. He recounted how, for instance, when the two played squash, Bianchi quickly surpassed him, only to then organize and compete in a tournament featuring a top-20 player in the world several months later.
“He was very obsessive in a way that whenever he wasn’t good enough at something, you would see him one month, two months or three months later and he will have trained at every single opportunity he had,”
Leclerc wrote in an official Formula 1 column.
“He would never, ever give up and he would work so hard in order to get better at something. Anything he would do, he would give the absolute maximum.”
Remembering Bianchi’s Legacy in Formula 1
Jules Bianchi tragically died on 17 July 2015, about nine months after sustaining severe injuries in a crash involving a recovery vehicle at the rain-affected Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka. His death marked the first fatal incident for a Formula 1 driver since Ayrton Senna’s accident at Imola in 1994, a moment that resonated deeply within the motorsport community.
Leclerc hopes that Bianchi’s memory will endure beyond the tragedy, emphasizing the former Ferrari Driver Academy member’s exceptional talent and kindness. He stressed that unlike many, Bianchi never had the benefit of a competitive car to fully showcase his skill during his time with the Marussia team.
“I hope Jules will be remembered as an extremely talented driver, who unfortunately never had the chance to be in a top team with a car that was helping him to show the extent of his talent,”
Leclerc said.
“There are some people where you can see through their eyes, through their smile, how good of a person they are – and I think Jules is one of them.”
“This is probably the most important thing for me to remember from Jules – how kind of a human being he was and how dedicated he was to try and reach his goals.”
Impact of Bianchi’s Spirit on Leclerc and Motorsport
Leclerc’s tribute underlines not only the personal connection he shared with Bianchi but also the enduring inspiration drawn from Bianchi’s spirit. The memory of his relentless effort and kindness serves to motivate current and future drivers within Formula 1. As the sport commemorates a decade since Bianchi’s passing, the hope remains that his story encourages perseverance and humanity within racing and beyond.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How Rich Is Charles Leclerc in 2025? As of 2025, Charles Leclerc’s net worth is estimated to be around $125 million.
A. Yes, Charles Leclerc is a millionaire.
Q. What degree does Charles Leclerc have?
A. Charles has earned a PhD in Medicine, a Post-Graduate Degree in clinical pathology, and an MBA from EM Lyon.
Q. Does Charles Leclerc have a PhD?
A. Charles Leclerc completed his doctorate in neuropsychology at Université de Montréal, following the clinical/scientist model. His research mainly explored how the brain changes when some areas are only partly or not at all stimulated. This work resulted in several scientific papers.
Q. Is Charles Leclerc trilingual?
A. Charles Leclerc speaks three languages. He is fluent in French, English, and Italian. He picked up Italian while racing in Italy and joining the Ferrari Driver Academy.
