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via Reuters

via Reuters

It’s not easy to be an F1 driver. The sport requires a high level of concentration, skill, and practice; much like it takes to become a musician. Recently, one Ferrari driver has been dwelling into music after picking up the piano during the pandemic.

Charles Leclerc has always been into music but has only recently been exploring this talent. After practicing the piano during the pandemic, he released his first track, AUS23 (1:1) back in April 2023. Ever since then, he has doubled down on his decision and has been working on music during the time between races. While speed has always been his passion, it looks like he is getting serious about his piano-playing skills.

Charles Leclerc works with Sofiane Pamart to perfect his track

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Although Charles Leclerc started kart racing at the age of four and has been hooked to speed ever since, it came as a surprise that the racer was passionate about creating music; and piano music at that. He was signed to Ferarri in 2019 and when the pandemic hit the very next year; he took into music. While he has already put out three singles so far, he is ready to take things to the next level by asking French “piano king” Sofiane Pamart to help with his music.

via Reuters

At 22, the Monégasque driver bought a piano and took a few lessons to learn how to read music initially. After successfully picking up the basics, he went on to release his compositions. However, after putting out three singles, he realized that he could do better with the help of a professional. This is where Sofiane Pamart came into the picture. On January 22, 2024, the French Pianist uploaded a story on Instagram showcasing him and Leclerc listening to one of the racer’s compositions.

After a quick pan of the camera, Pamart and Leclerc are seen at the grand piano. Pamart is seen giving out tips to Leclerc. There are no comments by either of the two on what is going on. However, the fact that Leclerc’s song MON23 is playing in the background has started to give fans an idea. During an interview with Classic FM, the Ferrari driver stated that music serves as a means for him to relax and disconnect from the intensity of the racing season. Although his inspiration is how he feels during a race, unlike the speed of the F1 car he drives, the songs are quite mellow.

Read More – All about Charles Leclerc’s Latest $600,000 Ferrari Splurge. How Does it Compare to the Monegasque’s Other Supercar?

As of now, Leclerc has released recordings of two compositions – AUS23 (1:1) and MIA23 (1:2), inspired by the Australian and Miami Grand Prix, respectively. Mon23 was released on August 14, showcasing Leclerc’s continuous dedication to his musical pursuits.

Musicians in F1

While Leclerc just started working on his music, Lewis Hamilton has always been vocal about his love for the art form. Hamilton made a significant entry into the music industry with a guest appearance on Christina Aguilera’s 2018 track ‘Pipe’ under the pseudonym XNDA.

The track ‘Pipe’ by Aguilera celebrates the pleasure derived from intimate relationships. It features eye-opening lyrics from Hamilton’s verse, where he talks about intimate activities with metaphors like “spread it on the bed like a patient.”

via Imago

Hamilton used the pseudonym XNDA for his musical venture. This choice was possibly made to maintain a level of separation between his racing career and musical pursuits. He has a collaboration with Major Lazer, but specific details or the release date of the song have not been mentioned in the provided information.

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Jaime Alguersuari, an ex-F1 racer, competed in Formula 1 from 2009 to 2011, primarily driving for the Scuderia Toro Rosso team. Despite breaking a record as the youngest driver in F1 in 2009, his overall performance didn’t leave a significant impact on the sport. This led him to quit and turn to music.

After leaving Formula One in 2011, Alguersuari transitioned to becoming a DJ. Alguersuari took on the stage name Squire and released his debut album called ‘Organic Life,’ in 2011. He continued his musical journey with the release of ‘The Leftovers of Stars Collide’ in 2019 and ‘STOP’ in 2021. Alguersuari’s debut album, ‘Organic Life,’ achieved great success by reaching the top of the iTunes charts.

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WATCH THIS STORY: Charles Leclerc Releases First-Ever Song After Teasing His Interest In Creating Music

While F1 is a sport that seems to take up a lot of time with traveling the world and prepping for the next race, passionate drivers are still finding time to dedicate to music. This shows how some racers are multi-talented and can manage time to pick up new skills while being one of the 20 best drivers on the planet, trusted with the 140 million dollar machines. What do you think of the music of the F1 racers? Let us know in the comments below.