Charles Leclerc has honored his close friend and godfather, Jules Bianchi, marking ten years since the French driver’s untimely death. Bianchi passed away on July 17, 2015, nearly a year after a severe crash during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit, where he collided with a recovery vehicle in dangerous wet conditions.
Bianchi was rushed to the hospital and put into an induced coma. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries at only 25 years old. Leclerc, now a Ferrari Formula 1 driver, shared his personal memories and emotions connected to Bianchi, highlighting their deep bond beyond racing.
A Friendship Rooted in Family and Shared Moments
Leclerc’s connection with Bianchi began through his older brother, Lorenzo, who was best friends with the late driver. This closeness brought Leclerc into frequent contact with Bianchi, forming a relationship that extended well beyond the track.
Reflecting on these interactions, Leclerc said,
“We spent so much time together growing up and both of our families were and still are extremely close. My older brother and him were best friends, so he was always around.”
He also recalled lighter moments such as watching movies together, explaining,
“I’ve got some stories from that time, like the first horror movie I watched was actually with Jules. He didn’t know I was pretending to be asleep. He was trying to make sure that I was asleep because he wanted to watch that movie with my older brother!”
Remembering Jules Bianchi’s Personality Through Close Friends
Leclerc described Bianchi as a warm and humorous individual, emphasizing the driver’s unique character. He recalled,
“Jules was such a genuinely nice person. He was very funny and he had his crazy moments when you got to know him very well. He was just always happy to help and very happy to have fun as well.”
The bond between them extended beyond childhood, with many shared experiences on and off the racing tracks, underlining Bianchi’s impact on Leclerc’s life both personally and professionally.
Special Childhood Memories on the Karting Track
One of the most treasured memories for Leclerc involves the karting circuit managed by Bianchi’s father, where they enjoyed ample time racing together. He explained,
“Normally rental karts are for adults but his father was managing the track and obviously was letting us do things that maybe we were not too allowed.”
Racing alongside Bianchi, Leclerc, his brother, and other karting drivers created unforgettable experiences. He reflected,
“I looked up to him so to be racing with him, with my older brother, with his younger brother, and many, many other professional karting drivers at the time was incredible.”
Leclerc described their time on the track, saying,
“We had so much fun. We would hang out and wait for the karting track to close to the public so we could get on. Then we’d go crazy on track for hours and hours. These are probably the most special memories I have.”
Jules Bianchi’s Fierce Competitive Spirit
Leclerc spoke about the competitiveness that defined Bianchi, a trait he believes influenced his own racing mentality. Reflecting on Bianchi’s determination, he shared,
“Jules was the most competitive person I’ve ever met and I feel like I have that competitiveness in me because of Jules. When we were doing some races in karting, there was that competitiveness but also in the most stupid things we did at home, there was exactly the same competitiveness. He would get so frustrated when he lost anything!”
Leclerc’s Hope for Bianchi’s Lasting Legacy
Leclerc expressed a desire for Bianchi to be remembered not only as a talented driver but as a person who was deeply dedicated to his dreams.
“There are some people where you can see through their eyes, through their smile, how good of a person they are – and I think Jules is one of them,”
Leclerc noted.
He emphasized Bianchi’s kindness and commitment, stating,
“This is probably the most important thing for me to remember from Jules – how kind of a human being he was and how dedicated he was to try and reach his goals.”
Leclerc also highlighted the tragedy of Bianchi’s career being cut short before he could have a chance to compete in a top Formula 1 team that could fully showcase his abilities.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How Rich Is Charles Leclerc in 2025? As of 2025, Charles Leclerc’s net worth is estimated to be around $125 million.
A. Is Charles Leclerc wealthy?
Q. What degree does Charles Leclerc have?
A. Charles has a PhD in Medicine, a Post-Graduate Degree in clinical pathology, and an MBA from EM Lyon.
Q. Does Charles Leclerc have a PhD?
A. Charles Leclerc finished his doctoral studies in neuropsychology at Université de Montréal, where he followed the clinical/scientist model. His thesis, published in various scientific journals, explored how the brain reorganizes itself when certain parts receive little or no stimulation.
Q. Is Charles Leclerc trilingual?
A. Charles Leclerc can speak three languages. He knows French, his native tongue, along with English and Italian. He picked up Italian while racing in Italy and joining the Ferrari Driver Academy.