This year, Charles Leclerc created history by winning his home race in Monaco. And powering up the 26-year-old were two of his well-wishers who were always present in his thoughts. While one of these people is Charles’ father Hervé, the other is his guardian Jules Bianchi. And this year, it is Bianchi’s 9th death anniversary as he succumbed to a tragic accident at the Japanese GP a decade ago. As it was Jules’ birthday on August 3, Charles Leclerc made a tribute to him during an interview.

Jules Bianchi’s family has always been close to the Leclercs. So, when Charles was born, the F1 racer became his godfather. And as a true supporter of Charles’ budding talent, Jules had helped him focus on Formula 1 when he was alive. However, the French racer could never see Charles Leclerc attain worldwide fame as a Ferrari racer since he had passed away too quickly. Still, Leclerc has tried to keep Bianchi alive in his thoughts as he wore a helmet paying respect to the late Marussia F1 star at the Monaco GP 2024.

Time and again, Charles has thanked Jules Bianchi for helping him during tough times. At one point, the Monegasque had said, “Back in 2010, he had spoken to Nicolas [Todt], my manager, in order for me to be supported to get to F1. And he’s been the game changer in my career.” And Bianchi would have loved to see Charles race for Formula 1 podiums if it had not been for his tragic crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. 9 months after the incident, the Frenchman passed away after sustaining fatal injuries.

While speaking on Jules Bianchi on what could have been his 35th birthday, Charles Leclerc said to The Gentleman’s Journal, “He was actually the son of my father’s best friend who was managing the karting track on that day I first tried it. He helped me in my career until, unfortunately, his accident in 2014 in Japan.” Only two years after losing his godfather, Charles faced another shocking news as his own father died due to a long battle with illness. And in the following year, the Monegasque made his F1 debut.

While losing his loved ones has been hard for Charles Leclerc, he has spoken about how this motivates him. So, what did the Monegasque say?

Charles Leclerc opens up on how the loss of his father and Jules helped him

Leclerc is currently in the top 3 on the World Championship rankings against Verstappen and Norris. But two of the people who could have been his biggest supporters are no longer by his side. Two years before his Formula 1 debut, he lost his godfather and in the following year, his father passed away. But instead of letting grief get to him, the Ferrari racer has used it to charge him up.

Speaking of how the deaths of his father figures have affected him, Charles said, “There have been moments that I wish never happened but they have made me grow as a driver and helped me. The loss of my father and Jules. Two incredibly hard moments in my life that made me stronger as a person and a driver. They definitely stay with you forever.”

With the memories of his father and Jules Bianchi powering him up, Charles Leclerc must win a World Championship soon. Do you think the Monegasque can create a miracle by defeating Max Verstappen?