F1 News: Charles Leclerc Talks His Retirement In Reflection Of Miami Qualifying Mistakes

During a Bitdefender event in Maranello, Charles Leclerc candidly shared his thoughts on the pressures and responsibilities that come with being a driver for Ferrari, adding that he has been thinking about the necessary conditions he would need to reach to think about retiring. Reflecting on the honour and burden of representing the prestigious Scuderia, Leclerc acknowledged the passion and accountability required in every aspect of his role.

"I have a lot [of pressure]. Especially since I've been on this team," he told the press. "It requires a lot of passion and responsibility. Even a small mistake costs the disappointment of many people.

"But I've always dreamed of driving in F1 and for Ferrari, so I can fully understand the responsibilities you have when you drive for this team."

Leclerc recently visited the Scuderia's headquarters, joining his teammate Carlos Sainz for simulator work and engaging in marketing activities. The timing of these activities coincided with the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at the famous Imola racetrack, with the cancellation due to the devastating floods that struck the region. Expressing concern for everyone's safety, Leclerc supported the decision to prioritise the well-being of all involved.

“Everyone's safety has priority. I think it was right, even if it was a home race for us. The images of the last few days are emblematic “

Recognised for his exceptional talent in delivering the perfect flying lap under qualifying conditions, Leclerc has faced criticism for two errors during the decisive phase of the Miami Qualifying. Addressing the criticism, the Monegasque driver shared his perspective, admitting that he will only retire when he starts "thinking about the danger":

“The cars are safe thanks to various safety systems. Also because of this, I focus only on speed and how to push the car to the limit.

"And sometimes it happens to crash. When I start thinking about the danger, I think I'll retire.

"On the track, you only see the result, but there's a lot of work behind it and people often don't understand it. Trust is everything, from the car to the mechanics through the engineers. It cannot be otherwise when you touch 250 km/h. Everything must be perfect. There must be trust in every aspect”.