History of Charles Leclerc in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 19, 2026

Charles Leclerc is a prominent Monegasque Formula One driver currently competing for Scuderia Ferrari. A product of the Ferrari Driver Academy, he entered F1 in 2018 with Sauber before securing a seat at Ferrari in 2019. Known for his exceptional qualifying pace and raw speed, Leclerc quickly established himself as a title contender, securing multiple Grand Prix victories. He is widely considered one of the most talented drivers of his generation. Throughout his career, he has balanced technical precision with an aggressive driving style, consistently pushing his machinery to its limits. Despite the inherent volatility of the sport and the intense pressure of driving for the sport's most historic team, Leclerc remains a central figure in the modern F1 era, consistently vying for pole positions and podium finishes as he pursues his maiden World Championship title.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

October 1997: Birth of Charles Leclerc

Charles Marc Hervé Perceval Leclerc was born in October 1997, marking the beginning of the life of the future Monégasque racing driver.

Others born on this day/year

2005: PACA Championship Mini Class Victory

In 2005, Charles Leclerc began his competitive racing career by winning the regional PACA championship in the Mini class, securing 15 wins out of 18 total races.

2006: PACA Championship Mini Class Defense

In 2006, Charles Leclerc successfully defended his 2005 regional PACA championship title in the Mini class.

2007: Transition to Minime Class

During 2007, Leclerc advanced to the Minime karting class, where he won the Trophée Claude Secq and earned a runner-up position in the PACA championship.

2009: Cadet Class Success and Sponsorship

In 2009, Leclerc progressed to the Cadet class, winning both the French Championship and the Bridgestone Cup, as well as the regional Rhône-Alpes title. Additionally, he formed a long-term partnership with Richard Mille in 2009.

2010: Junior Karting Breakthrough and CIK-FIA Monaco Kart Cup Win

In 2010, Charles Leclerc transitioned into international competition, entering the junior KF3 class. During this year, he achieved a notable milestone by becoming the youngest winner of the CIK-FIA Monaco Kart Cup at the Circuit de Monaco. Additionally, he finished twenty-ninth in his World Cup debut, fifth in the inaugural Academy Trophy, and runner-up in the French Championship.

2011: Victory at the Junior World Cup

In 2011, Charles Leclerc concluded his successful karting career by winning the junior World Cup.

2011: All Road Management Signing and Championship Victories

In 2011, Leclerc was scouted by Nicolas Todt and joined his firm, All Road Management, based on a recommendation from Jules Bianchi. Throughout 2011, Leclerc achieved significant success including winning the World Cup at Sarno, the Academy Trophy, and the Masters of Paris-Bercy, while also finishing as the runner-up in the WSK Final Cup.

2012: Charles Leclerc's 2012 Karting Campaign

In 2012, Charles Leclerc moved up to the senior KF2 karting category with the ART Grand Prix team. During this year, he achieved several notable results, including winning the WSK Euro Series, finishing as runner-up in both his European Championship debut and the under-18 World Championship, and securing top-five finishes in the World Cup, WSK Final Cup, and SKUSA SuperNationals. He also had a notable on-track incident with Max Verstappen.

2013: 2013 Karting Season Milestones

During the 2013 season, Charles Leclerc progressed to the KZ senior gearbox class at the age of 15. He secured a victory at the South Garda Winter Cup in KZ2, placed 12th in the WSK Euro Series, 4th in the WSK Master Series, and 6th in the European Championship after a podium finish in Genk. Additionally, he finished as the runner-up to Max Verstappen in the KZ World Championship held at Varennes-sur-Allier.

2014: Charles Leclerc's debut in Formula Renault 2.0

In 2014, at age 16, Charles Leclerc joined Fortec for the Formula Renault 2.0 Alps Series, marking his transition into junior formulae racing. Throughout the 2014 season, he achieved seven podium finishes, including two maiden victories at Monza, ultimately finishing as the series runner-up and winning the rookies' championship.

December 2015: Career Advancement and Team Selection

In December 2015, Charles Leclerc participated in post-season GP3 testing with ART and Arden, leading him to sign with ART for the 2016 season and join the Ferrari Driver Academy.

2015: FIA European Formula 3 Debut

During the 2015 season, Leclerc competed in the FIA European Formula 3 championship, where he won multiple races and secured a fourth-place finish in his rookie year.

2015: Charles Leclerc's 2015 Formula Three Campaign

In 2015, Charles Leclerc moved up to the FIA European Formula Three Championship with Van Amersfoort Racing. Throughout the 2015 season, he experienced several highs, including securing his maiden victory at Silverstone, winning at the Hockenheimring, and briefly taking the championship lead after winning the first race at Spa-Francorchamps. His season also included a run of eight consecutive podiums at Pau and his first retirement following a collision at Monza.

2015: Death of Jules Bianchi

In 2015, Charles Leclerc's godfather and former karting mechanic, Jules Bianchi, passed away.

2016: GP3 Series Championship Win

In 2016, Leclerc achieved his first major championship title by winning the GP3 Series while driving for the ART Grand Prix team.

2016: 2016 GP3 Series Season Campaign

Throughout the 2016 GP3 Series, Charles Leclerc competed in various rounds including Catalunya, Red Bull Ring, Silverstone, Hungaroring, and Hockenheimring, securing multiple podium finishes and reclaiming the championship lead following strong performances.

2017: Charles Leclerc's 2017 FIA Formula 2 Season

During the 2017 season, Charles Leclerc progressed to the FIA Formula 2 championship with the Prema team, achieving significant milestones including multiple feature race victories in Sakhir, Barcelona, Baku, and Spielberg, while navigating challenges such as the home race disappointment in Monte Carlo and various on-track collisions.

2017: Passing of Hervé Leclerc and Baku F2 Victory

In 2017, Charles Leclerc's father, Hervé, passed away at age 54 after a long illness, just four days before Leclerc secured a victory in the feature race at the Baku round of the 2017 Formula 2 championship.

2017: FIA Formula 2 Championship Success

In 2017, Leclerc won the inaugural FIA Formula 2 Championship with the Prema team, becoming the fourth driver to win the title in their rookie season and setting multiple records.

2018: Signing with Sauber

After previously misleading his father about his career status, Charles Leclerc officially signed a Formula One contract with the Sauber team for the 2018 season.

2018: Formula One Debut with Sauber

In 2018, Charles Leclerc made his official entry into Formula One, driving the C37 for the Sauber team while participating as a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy and successfully scoring multiple points.

2019: Ferrari Debut and Maiden Wins

During the 2019 season, Leclerc joined Ferrari to race alongside Sebastian Vettel, achieving his first career win in Belgium and ending Ferrari's nine-year drought at the Italian Grand Prix.

2020: Winless Season for Ferrari

The 2020 season marked a challenging period for Leclerc as he and the Ferrari team failed to secure a race victory throughout the year.

2021: Continued Winless Streak

In 2021, Charles Leclerc continued his tenure with Ferrari, experiencing a second consecutive winless season for the team.

2022: Formula One World Drivers' Championship Runner-up

In 2022, Charles Leclerc achieved the position of runner-up in the Formula One World Drivers' Championship while driving for the Ferrari team.

2022: Arthur Leclerc's Championship Victory

In 2022, Charles Leclerc's younger brother, Arthur Leclerc, achieved a significant milestone by winning the Formula Regional Asian Championship.

2022: Runner-Up in Drivers' Championship

Throughout the 2022 season, Leclerc secured multiple victories and ultimately finished the campaign as the runner-up to Max Verstappen in the World Drivers' Championship.

2023: 2023 Racing Campaign

In the 2023 season, Leclerc recorded five pole positions and earned six podium finishes as part of his ongoing racing performance.

2024: Release of Dreamers EP

In 2024, Charles Leclerc collaborated with pianist Sofiane Pamart to release the extended play titled 'Dreamers', which successfully reached number two on the Billboard Classical Albums chart.

2024: Monaco Grand Prix Victory

In 2024, Leclerc won the Monaco Grand Prix, making him the first Monégasque driver to win the event in 93 years, followed by further wins in Italy and the United States, finishing third in the standings.

2025: Partnership with Lewis Hamilton

Starting in 2025, Charles Leclerc began his new professional partnership with Lewis Hamilton within the Ferrari team.

2026: Belgian Grand Prix Milestone

As of the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc has reached career statistics including nine race wins, 11 fastest laps, 54 podiums, and a record 27 pole positions without a World Drivers' Championship.

2026: Ferrari's 250th Grand Prix Victory

In 2026, following the introduction of new technical regulations, Leclerc returned to the top of the podium in Britain, securing the 250th Grand Prix victory for the Ferrari constructor.

2028: Ferrari Contract Extension

In 2028, Charles Leclerc is contractually obligated to remain as a driver for Ferrari, marking a long-term commitment to the team through at least the end of that season.