During the ongoing Formula 1 summer break, many drivers have taken part in various off-track activities, and Charles Leclerc is no exception. The Scuderia Ferrari driver appeared on the ‘Grill the Grid’ F1 show, where he was asked to identify well-known venues and landmarks from circuits frequently featured in the championship. This game tested his knowledge of the sport’s diverse locations in a lighthearted challenge.
In a video posted by Formula 1 on their official X account, Leclerc stood in front of a board holding a sketch pad. As he flipped through pages showing images of famous landmarks connected to the F1 calendar, he chose to skip several and made some incorrect guesses when he did answer. Despite some misses, the 27-year-old correctly pinpointed one significant venue: the wall at turn eight of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.
Memories of Baku Crash Highlight Leclerc’s Correct Identification
Leclerc’s mention of the Baku venue resonated strongly because it recalled his dramatic crash during the 2019 Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying session. At that time, his Ferrari was one of the fastest cars on the grid, but the driver lost control and struck the barriers at turn eight. This moment became infamous among fans, not only for the crash but also for Leclerc’s honest radio message immediately after hitting the wall.
‘I am stupid, I am stupid.”
—Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari driver
Despite the setback at Baku, Leclerc demonstrated remarkable resilience by mounting a recovery drive that eventually saw him finish sixth in that street race, showcasing his determination and skill.
Leclerc Vows to Improve After Difficult Hungarian Grand Prix
Earlier this season, Charles Leclerc experienced a challenging race at the Hungarian Grand Prix held at the Hungaroring. Starting from pole position, he seemed set for a strong performance, but damage to his car’s chassis altered his race pace and strategy. This issue caused him to lose valuable time, particularly to the McLaren drivers, and ultimately finished the race in fourth place—an outcome he found frustrating.
Following the race, Leclerc promised to return stronger in the second half of the season. He acknowledged the disappointment but remained focused on overcoming the technical setbacks faced during the event. In a statement released through Ferrari, he explained:
“This is not the outcome we hoped for but there was nothing we could have done to control it, considering the issue we had. I got some more insight into what was happening after getting out of the car and it turns out that we had an issue on the chassis that started just about when I began to feel a difference in how the car behaved. It’s frustrating, because I think we could have won today, but we will return after the summer break and give it our all to come back stronger.”
—Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari driver
Looking Ahead to the Second Half of the Formula 1 Campaign
Leclerc’s pole position in Hungary marked his first of the 2024 season, as well as Ferrari’s first front-row start of the campaign. The team will now focus on regrouping during the summer break and preparing for the upcoming races. The next event on the F1 calendar is the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, where the Monegasque and his team aim to improve their performance and results as the season progresses.
As the competition intensifies, Charles Leclerc’s form and ability to handle both technical and on-track challenges will be crucial for Ferrari’s ambitions. Meanwhile, his lighthearted struggles with Charles Leclerc F1 circuit guessing provide fans with a glimpse of his personality beyond the high-pressure racing environment.
