10/10 Series: Growth Mindset - Charles Leclerc
Just before Christmas of 2019, Charles Leclerc received one of the biggest gifts a person can receive. He signed a contract that sees him driving the red car for another five years. A no-brainier from the perspective of the twenty-two-year-old Monégasque, but bold from Ferrari to put their chips on Charles’ name. Why it is that Ferrari can confidently choose Leclerc as their driver for the future? They already had an experienced four-time world champion in the form of Sebastian Vettel, and Leclerc had only driven for the team for a single season? It is clear - Charles Leclerc is a future world champion.
As a sport with only twenty competitors, Formula One is a place exclusively for the best of the best. As a result, determining which drivers are special enough to be champion material can be challenging. Nevertheless, a select group of drivers define a generation. We currently find ourselves in a transition period, between two eras. The past decade or so has been all about the likes of Hamilton, Vettel and Alonso. On the brink of equalling the once unmatchable Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton’s reign continues. While there are similarities to be drawn between the six-time champion and Peter Pan, he is only human. His chapter in Formula One’s tale will be over.
The teams are all but aware of Hamilton’s human nature, and are preparing to strike as soon as he retires. Mercedes already have two potential replacements waiting in the wings in the form of Estaban Ocon and George Russell. Red Bull have been committed for a while to Max Verstappen, who is also on a long term contract. McLaren sits pretty with their homegrown talent, Lando Norris, and an incoming proven race winner in Daniel Ricciardo. And then there is Ferrari, with the fast and experienced recruit of Carlos Sainz joining their star boy, Charles Leclerc. These drivers, it would appear, are the Formula One champions of tomorrow.
So why is Charles Leclerc being backed to become champion over Vettel?
Age may be a factor - with ten years on his side, Leclerc provides scope for a more long-term plan in comparison to Vettel. Charles also outscored Vettel in the championship last year. Another major blow, given that this Leclerc’s first season with Ferrari. This longevity and speed alone were probably enough for Ferrari to favour the 22-year-old. However, the quality that Charles Leclerc showed that increased his stock to ‘future champion’ was the improvement that he showed through the season.
Whenever you look at some of sport’s greatest champions, be it Lewis Hamilton, Anthony Joshua or Billie Jean King, they are fixated on constant improvement. Bouncing back from disappointment is significant for becoming a champion because the opposite would be to further decline. In life, we all have bad days; therefore, how we learn from these moments of pain will determine the level of success. In sport, things are no different.
Iconic Moment: The boy becomes the man
In 2019, Charles Leclerc demonstrated, what psychologists call, a ‘growth mindset’. This is an ability to learn from people and experiences - essential in sport. While he did openly criticise himself - “I am stupid” comes to mind - Charles used the pressure that he put on himself to encourage growth as a driver. The quote above came after crashing during qualifying in Baku. How did he respond? With a more measured approach that saw him pick up the most pole positions of anyone throughout the season. He also handled the politics of Ferrari in a cute but effective manner. Having advisors, who know the way that Ferrari works, was undoubtedly a factor in Charles ability to make better decisions publicly and internally. While Sebastian made mistakes and continued to get flustered, Charles became the calm, likeable figure on which his team could rely.
The summer of ‘19 was a period in which Leclerc’s race craft blossomed. In Austria, he was mugged in the closing period of the Grand Prix by Max Verstappen, who dived up the inside and forced Leclerc off the track. The young horse and bull resumed battle just a week later in Silverstone. This time, it was Leclerc, who now knew the limits to which he could acceptably race, coming out on top in an astonishing wheel to wheel battle. While it was not the win, it was proof to the world that the young boy from Monaco was learning how to become the man.
Just as summer neared completion, Charles Leclerc had a final test of his championship potential. The stage? Ferrari’s home turf - Monza is a place of expectation for anyone driving a Ferrari. If said driver wins, they will not just be Ferrari’s hero but Italy’s. The competitor? The most successful Formula One driver of this generation - Lewis Hamilton had won four of the last five Italian Grand Prix. So for Leclerc, the pressure was immense, and any mistakes would be punished.
And so the tale played out with tension as all great stories do. Leclerc led away, chased closely by Hamilton. Champions choose their moments to attack, and Hamilton did this. Round Curva Grande, Lewis took the inside line, Charles held on outside, knowing that if he did so, he would hold the critical inside line at the following chicane.
Some of the most significant praise that Lewis Hamilton has acquired from his peers in recent years is his ability to push to the limit and never go over. He can force his opponents into mistakes and take the upper hand.
As Hamilton and Leclerc charged towards the chicane, Leclerc ushered Hamilton off the road, reaching the limit of acceptable racing and sending Italy into raptures. A matter of minutes later, Leclerc crossed the line, victorious in a Ferrari in Italy. It was this summer that the boy became the man.