Charles Leclerc is determined to fight for victory in Singapore.

      Fans in Ferrari T‑shirts and caps began gathering today at Puma’s flagship store on Orchard Road in Singapore long before Charles Leclerc arrived.

      Surely the crowd included not only locals but also tourists, since Orchard Road is one of the city‑state’s main attractions and is home to numerous entertainment and shopping centers. Today the Ferrari driver took part in an event organized by the German company Puma, one of the Scuderia’s key sponsors.

      Those who were there say there was no shortage of cheers and applause for Charles; he simply smiled charmingly, waved to the crowd, and it was clear he was in a good mood.

      “The season is proving difficult, because our team isn’t at the level we want to be,” Leclerc admitted in an interview with the Singaporean newspaper The Straits Times. “But personally I’m pleased with how I’m performing, and I really want to start winning again with Ferrari. I hope that starts here in Singapore, because I really like Marina Bay, one of my favourite tracks on the calendar.

      I generally love street circuits, although the walls are very close and racing here is a real challenge. But it gives me particular pleasure.”

      Except for 2018, when the driver from Monaco made his Formula 1 debut with Alfa Romeo Sauber, on every other occasion he has finished the Singapore Grand Prix in the top five and has twice reached the podium. But he has yet to win on this demanding street circuit.

      Together with the entire Ferrari team and its fans, Leclerc hopes that the 2026 season, when Formula 1 switches to a new generation of cars, will turn out more successfully than the current one, which still has seven races remaining:

      “Without a doubt, I see this as an excellent opportunity that will open up for us drivers and for our team. There will be many changes, and we aim to be the ones who take the right trajectory from the very start of the new season.

      I always try to work as hard as possible to prepare as best I can — this applies to both physical training and the psychological side. I put in every effort so that I perform better each year — that has always been my approach, and that won’t change.”

      The venue of today’s event made it inevitable that the subject of fashion would be raised during the conversation.

      “Fashion is a very important topic, and the collaboration with Puma perfectly matches my perception of fashion,” Charles said. “For me it’s a way to talk about myself without words, to express what I feel. Every day I use it to express my emotions — it’s very convenient and allows me to be myself.”

      Before the Singapore round of the championship, Leclerc sits fifth in the drivers’ standings, 47 points behind George Russell and 44 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton, his teammate at Ferrari.