Charles Leclerc is the man of the moment in F1. By winning his sixth career race in his sixth Monaco GP, the Monegasque has become a global sensation and inspiration to those who persistently strive for glory, no matter what. His victory in the principality also brought tears to the Monaco royal family, who played a pivotal role in his formative years. But what career path would Ferrari’s talisman have taken if the stars didn’t align for him? Surprisingly, he would’ve chosen the field that his ex-girlfriend Charlotte Sine did.

Leclerc has 35 F1 podiums, including 6 wins, to his name. He is to Ferrari and Tifosi what Sir Lewis Hamilton is to the United Kingdom. On Sunday in Monaco, he not only added another victory flag in Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters but also extreme pride in the hearts of his home crowd. When the journey has been so phenomenal, it is difficult to imagine the 26-year-old doing anything other than racing. However, Leclerc did have an alternate career option if his F1 dream went to dust.

The Ferrari driver was a guest on the latest episode of the Jay Shetty podcast. Replying to Shetty’s thought-provoking question on an alternate career, Leclerc replied, “Probably an architect I love design, in general. I wouldn’t have been good enough to be an artist, but definitely an architect. I love architecture, in general. It’s another passion of mine,” he added.

His ex Charlotte Sine, with whom he amicably broke up in December 2022, also has a diploma in architecture. Maybe that was one topic of conversation between them during their 3-year relationship. Interestingly, Leclerc’s under-confident front with the artist comment comes from a funny interaction with teammate Carlos Sainz.

Carlos Sainz mocks Charles Leclerc into reaching a ‘crying’ state

Ahead of the Miami GP, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc did an extra handful of interviews as HP became their new title sponsor. In one particular interview, the Ferrari duo was in a rather playful mood when Sainz dragged his teammate’s confidence down.

After Sainz revealed Leclerc wanted to be an architect, the interviewer naturally questioned why he wouldn’t choose music, considering how avidly he plays the piano. “He’s (Leclerc) not talented enough for music,” the Spaniard replied with a poker face. Though it sent all three into fits of laughter, Leclerc remarked he takes such criticism “very badly” and would cry later. Unsurprisingly, he couldn’t forget that statement even days later when conversing with Jay Shetty.

It’s sad to see the two teammates being ripped apart come 2025. Nonetheless, both look set to propel their respective teams (Sainz’s 2025 team yet to be announced) to the front of the grid. If nothing works, well, the alternate careers are always there.