Charles Leclerc: I remain committed to our team.

      Not all Ferrari drivers who at various times were favorites of the Italian public became champions — one can recall Gilles Villeneuve or Jean Alesi, who failed to win a title, but that did not affect their popularity.

      Charles Leclerc's best result in Formula 1 so far remains second place in the 2022 championship, yet millions of Scuderia fans consider him their hero, partly because he sincerely loves both his team and the Ferrari brand and has no intention of betraying them.

      "I owe a lot to our team. I think I've answered that question," Charles said when asked what motivates him after almost seven years working with the Scuderia. "I've always loved Ferrari; that's what motivates me. I want to bring Ferrari back to the top, and how long that takes is not so important. I'll do absolutely everything in my power to achieve that."

      Ten years ago Leclerc was accepted into the Ferrari Driver Academy; in 2016 he became GP3 Series champion on his first attempt, the following year he repeated the feat by winning the F2 title, and in 2018 he made his Formula 1 debut. He scored his first points already in his fourth race, finishing sixth in Baku, and the following season he became a Ferrari driver. The 2019 Bahrain Grand Prix was his second race with the Scuderia, and he started it from pole and ultimately reached the podium for the first time, finishing third.

      He opened his account of victories that same season, first winning the Belgian Grand Prix and then the Italian — what more is needed to win the tifosi's love.

      "Of course, 2019 was not easy for me, since I was still a very young rookie," Charles continued. "Everything was new to me, and at the same time I was surrounded by constant fuss simply because it was only my second season and I was already racing for Ferrari. I am still completely loyal to our team and work hard to achieve success. All of that motivates me.

      You can't give in to emotions or attach importance to what people say about us. It's important to stay as collected as possible, and I think we're working well, although not well enough, so we need to get back to a higher level as soon as possible and start winning again.

      As a driver I must strive for the best possible result in every situation; this is important not only for the team but also for myself."

      Charles Leclerc's contract with Ferrari runs until the end of 2026, but it seems the driver from Monaco will remain with the team for a long time to come.