Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has been given the unusual title of “king of the hooligans” by a well-known sports outlet, highlighting his unusually fiery team radio messages this Formula 1 season. Despite being known as a calm and collected racer, Leclerc’s heated exchanges during races reveal a more frustrated side than typically expected from the Monegasque star.
The publication Bild analyzed driver communications from this season to rank their instances of road rage, placing Leclerc at the top for his frequent outbursts. His race engineer Bryan Bozzi often found himself on the receiving end of his sharp frustrations.
Memorable radio exchanges exposing Leclerc’s frustration
Leclerc’s irritation became evident as early as the Bahrain Grand Prix, when he questioned Bozzi after unexpected car issues, asking,
“What the hell did you do?”
Later in Imola, disrupted race strategies triggered more complaints as he remarked,
“Unbelievable! I’m always being fooled with these virtual safety cars or safety cars.”
Adding to the tension, he challenged pit lane instructions to let a competitor pass, saying,
“Is this how racing works these days? It’s a f****** joke.”
In Canada, Leclerc repeatedly questioned his pit team about tyre choices with the comment:
“I don’t understand why we stopped? The tyres were good.”
Other top drivers also show signs of strain, while some maintain composure
Among other prominent drivers, defending world champion Max Verstappen exhibited visible frustration, especially after colliding with George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton also displayed notable tension during strategic communications with race engineer Riccardo Adami. Meanwhile, teammates Carlos Sainz, along with Yuki Tsunoda and Fernando Alonso, scored high for emotional radio moments, reflecting struggles in their early season form.
Conversely, some drivers have maintained steadier emotional control in their team radio chats. Rookie Isack Hadjar and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon appeared largely composed, as did veteran Nico Hulkenberg. However, this dynamic could shift as the season progresses, with the Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg presenting fresh opportunities for pressure to mount.
Upcoming challenges may test driver temperaments further
With the Austrian GP set to begin soon, racers like Leclerc, Verstappen, and Hamilton will face new challenges that could provoke more intense communications. Their ongoing battles on and off the track will likely continue to provide insights into their mental states under pressure, impacting team strategies and race outcomes throughout the season.