Charles Leclerc arrives at the final stretch of the 2026 season in form. He finished second behind Kimi Antonelli at the United States Grand Prix in Austin on 25 October, his second P2 in a row after Singapore, and sits fifth in the championship on 233 points with five rounds to go. In July he won the British Grand Prix, and in June Ferrari announced a contract extension.
Partnered by Lewis Hamilton for a second season, the Monégasque remains Ferrari's qualifying ace with 27 career poles. Here's his story – and you can find more racing icons in our Formula 1 collection.
Charles Leclerc Fact File
| Full name | Charles Marc Hervé Perceval Leclerc |
| Date of birth | 16 October 1997 (age 29) |
| Place of birth | Monte Carlo, Monaco |
| Role | Formula 1 driver |
| Nationality | Monégasque |
| Current team | Scuderia Ferrari (since 2019) |
| Car number | 16 |
| Nickname | Il Predestinato ("The Chosen One") |
Career History
| Year | Team | Wins | Championship |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Sauber | 0 | 13th |
| 2019 | Ferrari | 2 | 4th |
| 2020 | Ferrari | 0 | 8th |
| 2021 | Ferrari | 0 | 7th |
| 2022 | Ferrari | 3 | 2nd |
| 2023 | Ferrari | 0 | 5th |
| 2024 | Ferrari | 3 | 3rd |
| 2025 | Ferrari | 0 | 5th |
| 2026* | Ferrari | 1 | 5th (current) |
Grand Prix wins and final championship position each season. *2026 is in progress: standings after round 18 of 23, the United States GP on 25 October 2026. Career totals: 9 wins and 27 pole positions.
Early Years in Monaco
Leclerc grew up in Monte Carlo and came through karting with a string of titles between 2005 and 2011, including the 2011 World Cup. His godfather was the late F1 driver Jules Bianchi. He was rookie champion in Formula Renault 2.0 Alps in 2014 and in European F3 in 2015.
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GP3, F2 and Sauber
Leclerc won the GP3 title with ART in 2016, then claimed the Formula 2 crown at the first attempt with Prema in 2017, taking seven wins. He made his F1 debut with Sauber in 2018, finished 13th and was named FIA Rookie of the Year – enough for Ferrari to promote him for 2019.
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Spa, Monza and Monaco
On 1 September 2019, aged 21, he won from pole at Spa, the first win by a Monégasque driver, and dedicated it to Anthoine Hubert. A week later he won at Monza, Ferrari's first victory there since 2010, and he took the FIA Pole Trophy with seven poles that year. He was championship runner-up in 2022 with three wins and nine poles, and on home streets in 2024 he finally won the Monaco Grand Prix from pole – the first Monégasque winner since 1931. Further wins at Monza and Austin saw him finish third that year.
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The Hamilton Era
Lewis Hamilton joined Ferrari in 2025, when Leclerc finished fifth. In 2026 he has taken a British Grand Prix victory and six podiums, survived a heavy lap-two crash at Monza's Parabolica unhurt, and finished on the podium in Singapore and Austin. Ferrari confirmed his new contract on 3 June 2026.
Honours
Formula 1
- 9 Grand Prix wins and 27 pole positions
- Championship runner-up: 2022
- FIA Pole Trophy: 2019
- FIA Rookie of the Year: 2018
- F1 Overtake Award: 2023
Junior categories
- FIA Formula 2 champion: 2017
- GP3 champion: 2016
- FIA Rookie of the Year (F2): 2017
- Karting World Cup: 2011
Away From the Track
Leclerc is a keen pianist and released the piano EP Dreamers with Sofiane Pamart in 2024, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Classical Albums chart. His younger brother Arthur is also a racing driver.
FAQs
How old is Charles Leclerc?
Charles Leclerc was born on 16 October 1997, so he is 29 years old.
Where was Charles Leclerc born?
He was born in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Who is Charles Leclerc's teammate?
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who joined Ferrari in 2025.
What teams has Charles Leclerc driven for?
Sauber in 2018 and Ferrari since 2019.
How many races has Charles Leclerc won?
Nine Grand Prix wins as of the 2026 United States GP, along with 27 pole positions.
When did Charles Leclerc win the Monaco Grand Prix?
In 2024, from pole position – the first home win for a Monégasque driver since Louis Chiron in 1931.
Shop the Charles Leclerc Collection
Here's our Charles Leclerc range, made to order in the UK.
Explore more racing greats in our Formula 1 collection. Or design your own with our Custom Name Men's Hoodie.
Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher.
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