Chapter Text
0
Charles has many regrets in his life. His last moments with his father, his many unsuccessful years with Ferrari, the broken hearts he left behind and how many times he nursed his own. There is only so much he could do with his talent in a shit car with even shittier strategy and he knew his good looks saved him there.
He regretted not listening to his friends, his family, the people around him to leave Ferrari, all because he wanted to win the World Championship with them. Not with someone else, in another car— he wanted to win in red, his color.
He regretted not accepting Red Bull’s offer, especially after they dominated for almost a decade, leaving everyone behind. Others slowly started to catch up, but not him. Oh, he won races, he had his podiums, he had points but it was never enough .
He regretted not pursuing jobs in other fields, but especially music. He had the opportunity, not even one, almost endless opportunities and offers, but instead he chased a dream that was never his.
Charles Leclerc has many regrets. But his biggest regret was retiring due to an injury and his age catching up with him, all without a World Championship to his name, disappointing not just himself but everyone who looked up to him.
1
Coming back to senses when he’s celebrating his podium, his trophy almost slipping from his grip leaves him stumbling. The faces are blurred, concerned voices filling his ears while the cheers make his headache only worse.
“I’m okay, I’m okay”, he wheezes, he lies, because he’s not okay. He feels awkward, lanky, full of energy and tired at the same time. He smells sweat and feels the heat— he’s so close to throwing up.
He knows where he is. He remembers this, god, he hates how much the memory of this win has burned itself into his mind. It has been monumental for his career, for his reputation, for himself .
Charles is numb when he steps from the podium, when people pat him on his back, congratulate him. He’s numb when he walks with his team, back to the paddock.
He’s still numb, hours later, everyone celebrating and he’s hiding in one of the many bathrooms. It’s then, him sitting on the cold floor, head bowed and hands shaking, it’s then when he finally realizes that this is not a dream.
“Mi dispiace-”, he chokes out, voice raspy and tears finally falling. “Mi dispiace, mi dispiace, fuck, I’m sorry.” He muffles his own cries and instead lets the tears drop, careful to not let anyone know.
It’s not a dream, his body is smaller than it actually was, less muscle on his frame, his hair untamed— it’s a nightmare.
It’s the race right after his father died.
2
He slowly slips into a role, bright eyed and young Charles Leclerc disappearing and leaving the life weary, adult Charles Leclerc behind. His family and friends think he’s still grieving but determined to win in honor of his father.
And he is winning. It’s so ridiculously easy, the car he currently drives so fucking slow, nothing compared to the ones he already drove but he can remember it all. The tracks, the races, he drives on muscle memory, mind numb and they call it incredible talent.
The people around him go crazy with every pole, win and points he grabs with his greedy, greedy hands, they watch him make history again, this time even grander.
His mother is worried and he hates himself, taking away the son he loves and instead being him— still her son but too old. Instead worrying about it too much, he drives fast and with skill many in his age could dream off. The taste of champagne, the feeling of standing on top, it’s the only thing that brings him brightness, the only thing that lights up his soul and let’s the numbness disappear.
It’s like a drug, driving and winning, and he can’t get enough.
-1
↺ internet articles about charles leclerc.
WONDERBOY LECLERC HAS DONE IT AGAIN!
Since the beginning of the season, Charles Leclerc has been an impressive presence on track. Many began to worry about his performance after his father’s death, yet Leclerc proves them wrong…
CHARLES LECLERC DOMINATES EVEN AFTER CHAMPIONSHIP WIN
The young Monasque has written history with his championship, but he doesn’t stop! Despite having racked up enough points to leave everyone in the dust, Leclerc not only participates in every race but also dominates them…
SCUDERIA FERRARI INTERESTED IN F2 CHAMPION
Rumors have it that the renowned F1 team is interested in Charles Leclerc after his win in the F2 Championship…
“I AM HERE TO WIN”, SAYS LECLERC AND DOES
Click here to read the full interview with current F2 champion Charles Leclerc…
3
He still picks the same number, the same team for his debut, fearing that if he changed too much, something would go wrong. There hasn’t yet, it has been exceptional, his results over the top and he can’t get enough of it.
But unlike last time— (god, he already got to a point, where he begins to differentiate the two lives, thinking this as a restart, a second chance—) he scores points right on his first F1 race. It shouldn’t be possible, something unrealistic and straight out of a novel, but no one suspects foul play, not when people like Lewis and Max exist and drive against him.
He has a solid car, closer to what he drove before but it still didn’t satisfy his ever growing hunger. He hungers for more, reaching and grasping, slowly but surely coming closer and closer to the Charles Leclerc he was just before he retired. A beast, experienced and keeping up with the best, in a shit car, his mental health at its worst but still strong. A monster, driving with brains instead of just speed, pulling off insane overtakes on World Champions in hopes for a win.
He is all that but so much more now. A fresh start, his hands itching to hold a trophy, his eyes never leaving the backs of the ones on top— he’s the underdog, the rookie of the year, someone to look out for.
-2
↺ twitter posts mentioning charles leclerc.
Charles Leclerc ✓ @Charles_Leclerc 2h
Next stop, Monaco! Can’t wait to race on the home track for the first time in the big league ❤️
345 Replies | 1.28K Retweets | 22.2K Likes
|
cl16 forever!! @mariamariaa1 53m
AHHH I’M SO EXCITED I GOT TICKETS I WILL SEE CHARLES ON HIS FIRST HOME RACE AAAAAAAAAAAH
3 Replies | 2 Retweets | 13 Likes
FORZA FERRARI YAAA @ferraribiggestfan 19m
can’t wait to see charles race again, he drives soooo good!! it’s a (fever) dream watching him
3 Replies | 8 Retweets | 16 Likes
wonderboy charlie @chairleclair 17m
once again thanking the motorgods for gifting us with wonderboy charles 🙏
21 Replies | 103 Retweets | 299 Likes
Formula 1 ✓ @F1 1m
Are you ready for Monaco? We are definitely ready for @Charles_Leclerc first home race! #F1
2 Replies | 42 Retweets | 198 Likes
4
Charles doesn’t win. He doesn’t expect to win, not on this track and not in this car. Instead he gets on the podium, actually finishing the race with the car in one piece.
And then he stands below Daniel and Seb, having passed Lewis— because unlike last time, half of the grid had to retire, shaking off his own Monaco curse and letting everyone behind him choke on it.
It feels freeing, as if someone lifted the weight of the world off his shoulders, he thinks he can breathe again and he gulps in the warm air as if he had been drowning.
They spray him with champagne, shower him with praise, pat him on the back and tell him how well he has done and Charles cries. He cries on live TV, drinks from the champagne bottle as if it’s water and kisses his trophy.
This is it, he thinks. No turning back, not now, never again. He has followed the dreams of his dearest ones in his past life, making it his burden and now— now he will be selfish, young and greedy, hungry for more.
Seb praises him again, when they’re on top and he can’t help but grin, all while tears are still running down his cheeks. He also hugs him, firm and with his own smile on his face. It’s the best day in his new life.
5
The press conference after it is… something else. He’s getting asked the most questions, the first podium at his 6th race in F1 on his hometrack is him writing history again, and he can’t help but soak the attention up. It’s his, his win, winning against that curse on his own track.
“Charles, what you did today is truly phenomenal. There is no question in how this feels for you, so instead I wanted to ask, what has led to this point? What helped you to end this race in P3?” He just grins wide, a young adult, a freshling in this hard core sport, sitting next to legends.
“It— um. When I drive”, and he almost winces at how accented his English is, “When I drive, I don’t dream about winning, it’s my goal. Dreams are for dreamers, but you can’t afford to dream here, non?” The people chuckle, so does he, but he’s not done.
“But to answer your question, it is the drive I feel when I’m in the car, I need to do my best, to get the best out of the car and me. And of course, it’s practice and strategy, I have an amazing team behind me, without them I wouldn’t have this trophy now.”
-3
↺ twitter posts mentioning charles leclerc.
wonderboy charlie @chairleclair 1h
“i don’t dream about winning, it’s my goal.” THIS IS HIM SIR, THE TRUE WINNER OF MONACO ‘18
103 Replies | 1.8K Retweets | 3.4K Likes
CL16 @dumbanddumber 43m
charles on podium as rookie on his freaking home track and then dropping the hardest quote of history is legend behavior!!!
3 Replies | 18 Retweets | 345 Likes
Formula 1 ✓ @F1 30m
“When I drive, I don’t dream about winning, it’s my goal. Dreams are for dreamers, but you can’t afford to dream here, non?” Charles Leclerc after his P3 in Monaco!
421 Replies | 3.6K Retweets | 9.6K Likes
-4
↺ tumblr posts mentioning charles leclerc.
Anonymous asked
charles crying on podium and then seb hugging him is so-
formulafanatic
I will never stop talking about this. My boy not only got praised by Seb on Live TV once but twice but also stood next to him on Podium???
wonderboycharlesss
it feels like a fever dream and i never want it to stop
formulafanatic
You, me and everyone with brain cells watching Formula 1.
83 notes
f1-quotes
“When I drive, I don’t dream about winning, it’s my goal. Dreams are for dreamers, but you can’t afford to dream here, non?” — Charles Leclerc, a legend in making
351 notes
ferrarifanboy
i want to talk about several things that happened today.
- charles mf leclerc. not only is this his home track, but also one of the most anticipated track of the year. and he fucking got P3, as a rookie ON HIS SIXTH RACE IN F1 IN A SAUBER CAR!!!
- charles leclerc (again). how he drove today is insane. half of the grid was in chaos, so many drivers had to retire and he just went, overtook lewis hamilton on lap 42 and defended till the end. lewis had no chance on passing, because the moment he tried, charles was stuck on him and overtook him again. he drove really risky around the corners and slowly increased the distance between him and lewis. he defended against a world champion.
- the interaction between seb and charles. you can see how much charles looks up to him, i can’t even think how charles felt the past few days.
- the press conference! charles was totally giddy, you could practically feel the happiness through the screen. (especially when seb praised him again)
read more…
562 notes
6
After Monaco, several teams and many more drivers approached him, eager to bring him from the middlefield to the front row, now that he has shown what he can do.
But the biggest change to last time, is the direct offer from Mercedes. Not even the talk around of him bringing him to their Academy or second seat, instead they’re sure they want him. Him and Lewis. And this only thanks to the disaster that happened in Monaco with Valtteri and the following races. He had crashed very early in the race, leaving only Lewis to drive for points, and did it again in Canada. His performance decreased drastically, partly with Charles himself being at fault.
One of the other teams is of course Scuderia Ferrari, considering he’s already almost part of their family, with him driving for Sauber and participating in test drives, which wasn’t a surprise. But he already knew the back and forth that would happen, the death of Marchionne would destabilize Ferrari and start the shit show it had been in the first life.
Charles knows that his actions had consequences. He knew the moment he started to change things and he had already changed so much. Unlike last time, he has no regrets. Instead he bulldozes his way on each track, driving as if he has decades of experience, leaving his own teammate and stronger teams behind him.
He has no regrets, when he tells his manager to start negotiating a contract with Mercedes, leaving his own family baffled when he clearly says no to Ferrari.
In the end, it’s his outstanding performance and Valtteri's below average one that secures him a seat for 2019, if only for a year. He knows, this is his chance, the opportunity he never really had, to actually have a chance in fighting for the World Championship.
You have to start early, after all, to actually win against the best.
-5
↺ internet articles about charles leclerc.
THE TEAMS ARE FIGHTING FOR LECLERC
Several sources have repeatedly confirmed that many teams have reached out to Leclerc with offers, most of them contracts that are longer than just one year…
“HE’S YOUNG BUT HAS PLENTY OF TALENT”, SAYS TOTO WOLFF
Mercedes’ very own team boss praises the Sauber Rookie, stating how impressed he is by his performance…
“FERRARI IS THE DREAM, BUT HE’S NOT HERE TO DREAM.”
It’s well known that Scuderia Ferrari has offered Charles Leclerc a seat for 2019, having the support and backing of the CEO himself. While Charles is very friendly with them, it has been reported that he’s not interested in the red seat, instead eyeing others…
CHARLES LECLERC IS WRITING HISTORY
Charles Leclerc is a rising star in Formula 1, bringing in achievements many dream of, such as the possibility of breaking the record in the amount of points accumulated in his rookie year, currently held by Lewis Hamilton. But he hasn’t just written history in the pinnacle of motorsport, it already started in the lower categories…
7
Charles focuses on his races and training his body. Every driver knows how important your body and it’s health is to compete in this sport, but after living a life of constantly straining his body while also partying wildly… well, he doesn’t want to repeat that exactly.
He goes on a search for a personal trainer, knowing that Andrea and him will never be the same the moment he has entered negotiations with Mercedes. He also starts to look for a competent PR Manager, knowing the future of Social Media and how important it will be for his career.
It leaves him busy, constantly training, both in the gym and on the track.
7.5
What Charles doesn’t know, better said, is too busy to know, is how the Paddock talks about him. They’re baffled how he seems to do a complete 180 degree personality change the moment he’s on the track, while being all smiley the moment he leaves his car.
They admire his drive, the elder drivers prophesying how far he will bring it and the younger drivers can’t help but look up to him. Everyone has heard the story of the race in Baku and how he won right after his father died. And then many times more, his performance not declining.
They’re side-eying him across the paddocks when reviewing the footage, seeing his fast corners and smooth overtakes, while he excitedly talks with his team as if he just didn’t overtake several drivers with better cars and more experience. They’re watching him when he answers harsh questions from the reporters with a cheery smile on his face, as if they just complimented him. They’re seeing how he sneaks glances at the bright red Ferrari cars, whispers reaching them how it has always been his dream to drive and win in a Ferrari seat but— but then he went and said you can’t dream if you want to win.
It’s mind boggling how determined he is, the engineers and the rest of his team boasting how much he trains— more than most drivers and he’s just a rookie.
And they can’t help but wonder what Charles Leclerc will do next.
8
Crash he does, not even his own fault. Charles knows he can’t predict and influence everything, but in Spa, he crashes the exact same as the first time.
Once again he had to retire the car and once again the Halo saved his life.
The crash brings him back down to earth. He walks back to the paddock while the others continue to race, he watches them with bitterness and envy. He knew the crash would happen and he tried to avoid it, but it seems some things are set in stone.
Unlike last time, Fernando stays longer than for just a few minutes, apologizing for ruining his race and this— this is what Charles missed. His old friends and rivals, their connection, now nothing more but mere acquaintances.
It’s odd to say but the crash brings them closer and Fernando not only compliments him and comments on several things he has done this year, but also offers advice, when Charles finally steps over the line he set himself. It tugs on his heart when the elder driver smiles at him, declaring him as his ‘mentor’, in exchange for ruining his race. He’s already so much closer to him that he had been last time.
-6
↺ tumblr posts mentioning charles leclerc.
official-formula-one
Charles Leclerc after his crash in Spa, talking about his disappointment and how the Halo “saved his life”. [LINK to Interview here]
[Transkript to the Interview]
read more…
madmaxstappen
Just like Charles and probably every driver right now, I’m very glad we have the Halo. No matter what everyone else says, the crash was nasty and more serious injuries have been prevented thanks to the Halo.
charles-lec-charles
i’m just sad that it was right at the start :( would’ve loved to see him drive the whole track
42 notes
mammamiamamma asked
HAVE YOU SEEN THE PICS OF FERNANDO AND CHARLES??
wonderboycharlesss
GOSH YES!! the way the cameras showed them several times during the race and fernando stayed with him almost the whole race? i just know they bonded over this traumatic event (someone pls give charles a big hug, that crash was a big shock for everyone)
multifandomfan31
remember the date. the date of fernando alfonso adopting charles leclerc and thus becoming the second grid dad our favorite rookie collected
wonderboycharlesss
F1 NEWS: grid!son charles giving his grid!dads seb and nando gray hairs!
538 notes
-7
↺ twitter posts mentioning charles leclerc.
Paddock Rumors @paddock_rumors 19h
CHARLES LECLERC to sign with Mercedes! Several sources have said that the Rookie dodged all talks with Ferrari, as well any other team and instead entered negotiations with Toto Wolff himself.
492 Replies | 4.8K Retweets | 18.4K Likes
brocedes! @merc3d3s03 10h
WYM CHARLES IS TALKING WITH MERCEDES AND NOT ACCEPTING FERRARI’S OFFER?? CHARLES PLS BLINK IF YOU NEED HELP
112 Replies | 1.1K Retweets | 2.4K Likes
|
wonderboy charlie @chairleclair 9h
he said dreaming is for dreamers and winning is his goal and he’s taking it very serious- darling, you’re still in your rookie year (i’m actually sobbing)
2 Replies | 11 Retweets | 45 Likes
violently shaking @forzaforumulaa 5h
as long charles upgrades from sauber, i don’t care with who he signs (i’m actually sobbing that my little ferrari boy will probably sign with mercedes)
23 Replies | 110 Retweets | 421 Likes
Paddock Rumors @paddock_rumors 1h
More sources have confirmed talks between Charles Leclerc and Mercedes. All of them are very sure that the Rookie WILL join Lewis Hamilton in his team. Some speak of plans on raising a new World Champion, to follow Hamilton’s steps once he retires.
1.2K Replies | 6.8K Retweets | 24.1K Likes
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Paddock Rumors @paddock_rumors 31m
Both Mercedes and Leclerc have yet to confirm the rumors, but we’re getting an increasing amount of confirmations. A source close to Leclerc said: “He promised his father that he will drive a Ferrari, but he also promised to win.” It seems likely that Leclerc will continue his path to victory with Mercedes next year.
334 Replies | 1.5K Retweets | 10.9K Likes
wonderboy charlie @chairleclair 4m
listen. i know i said i’m sobbing over the news @paddock_rumors dropped, but then i reviewed charles in monaco and i just want him to be on podium again… he already lost so much, if it means for him to go to mercedes to win, then he will have my undying support!! anything to see him so happy again
2 Replies | 14 Retweets | 43 Likes
9
Charles signs a year contract with Mercedes with a bitter smile on his face. It’s good, the second seat in a dominating team, with his teammate being Lewis Hamilton himself— and yet…
And yet he sees the bright red on the track, hears italian just around the corner and it pains him to step away, turn his back. It’s still his dream, to win with Ferrari, but Ferrari— Ferrari has destroyed him, took him apart and left him to build himself up again, the Ferrari he knew is not the Ferrari of today, it is the Ferrari of the future.
“You okay, kid?” Lewis is here, welcoming him to the team, sad to see his own teammate retire for the next year but excited to have him.
“Yeah”, he rasps, but it’s a lie. Everyone sees it, yet they don’t comment on it.
“I just hope my father will forgive me.”
A hush falls over the room, Toto eying his first driver, then Charles’ manager. Said man only sighs, fully knowing the grief Charles puts himself through.
Lewis is so brave and mutters, “I’m sure he’s very proud of you, Charles. You’re in Formula one, one of the twenty best drivers in the whole world. Hell, you even broke my rookie record!” His hand falls on the smaller man’s shoulders and the Brit can’t help but notice how small Charles Leclerc still is and yet already shining oh so bright.
“‘Course he’d be proud, mon péré was always so proud but—”, he takes in a shuddering breath, cursing himself for being so sentimental.
“Charles…”
“ Non , I think you should know why it took me so long to decide for you.” Toto raises an eyebrow and Charles steels himself. It’s the first time— the first time he talks about in this life.
“I told my father Ferrari wants to sign me, for the next season. He died thinking his son became a Ferrari driver— I was, stupid, so stupid, Papa was in pain, we all knew he would— and then he died and then I won—”
His confession, baring the dirty little secret to his new team, helps Charles to calm the storm in himself. He ends up getting a hug from everyone, even the big bad boss himself. And Lewis?
Well, just like with Fernando, Charles is much closer with the older driver than he has ever been in his first life.
At least he’s doing something right.
-8
↺ twitter posts mentioning charles leclerc.
Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team ✓ @MercedesAMGF1 1d
Welcome to our newest Driver on the team! @Charles_Leclerc will join us in the 2019, we can’t wait to see him in action 🙌🏎️
Read more details here 👇
1.2K Replies | 10.1K Retweets | 42.8K Likes
|
Charles Leclerc ✓ @Charles_Leclerc 1d
Thank you for this incredible opportunity! It’s an honor to be welcomed in this team ❤️🖤
943 Replies | 6.4K Retweets | 13.8K Likes
wonderboy charlie @chairleclair 23h
i’m in shambles. but in a good way #Merclerc
42 Replies | 149 Retweets | 1.2K Likes
hammertime @lewlewhamham 22h
we all know charles only got the place as 2nd driver because valtteri retires for a year
10 Replies | 42 Retweets | 107 Likes
|
mercedes supremacy @f1f0n 22h
it certainly helped but don’t forget how much valtteri’s own performance declined and it’s his own fault/shit luck. plus the injury, so of course a seat will be open and of course they have to fill it. and they did with a very talented driver #Merclerc
2 Replies | 3 Retweets | 26 Likes
-9
↺ internet articles about charles leclerc.
MERCEDES AMG SIGNS CHARLES LECLERC!
The F1 Mercedes Team has just confirmed this morning that Charles Leclerc, current rookie driver with Sauber, has signed a one year contract with them…
“I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE NEXT SEASON”, SAYS HAMILTON
Lewis Hamilton is saddened to see his current teammate in retirement, wishing him a quick recovery, yet also welcoming the much younger addition to the Mercedes Team with open arms…
WONDERBOY, IL PREDESTINATO, SCHUMACHER COME AGAIN: CHARLES LECLERC
Despite his young age, Charles Leclerc already collected a fair share of nicknames, all thanks to his achievements and the characters he’s shown in his rookie year…
10
Charles doesn’t return home. He can’t bear to look into his mother’s eyes, his brothers, his family. Instead he tells them over phone how he needs to prepare for next season, that Mercedes wants him with them for a while, he’s in a top team now and has to act like it.
His mother is proud, but he sees how she worries about him. It’s normal for mother’s to worry, yet he smiles at her and tells her everything is alright.
It’s true. From an outsider's perspective, his life is more than alright. He just probably made the biggest jump he could in his Formula One career, his social media accounts all set up and properly functioning, resulting in brands reaching out to him.
He knows how important social media will be in the near future, all thanks to the pandemic, and starts to build the foundations. Influencers already exist, yet they’re not as common as a few years later and despite him hating to sell his own life like this— it’s better to have a backup plan.
(You never know what will happen, who will leave you behind, try to drag you down. Charles has seen it, he has experienced it, it can destroy lives in hours. He knows how rumors can destroy your career and if you don’t have a thick skin—)
Instead of focusing on the negative part of social media, he tries to use the positive. Documenting his life, as an athlete and music lover, commenting about the most minor occurrence in his day. He practices his English, still heavily accented, but doesn’t hesitate to slip into French and Italian.
They call him cute and eager, a golden retriever. They see his big smile and how he rambles about his training, his friends, his diet, anything.
They call him passionate and determined, admiring his drive to win, everything he does to stay on top.
They call him everything he was and wasn’t his first live.
-10
↺ youtube videos mentioning charles leclerc.
The Rise of Charles Leclerc
870.321 views | 13.326 Likes | 971 Dislikes
F1 Theories | 54.000 Subscribers
BEST MOMENTS 2019: Charles Leclerc
2.340.004 views | 52.981 Likes | 3.926 Dislikes
F1 Best Moments | 500.000 Subscribers
A DAY WITH A F1 DRIVER !vlog 4
1.210.087 views | 49.004 Likes | 851 Dislikes
Charles Leclerc ✓ | 720.000 Subscribers
5.308 Comments
@ana k.
never thought i would be this interested in someone’s life whose job it is to drive in circles
@jajana j.
i think it’s the french accent lol
@f1fan
nah, it’s just his charm. you can really see how passionate he’s about his sport, and that sells it
@formulafan
charles in a f1 car/simulator vs charles doing everything else
@lilianneeee
getting a whiplash from seeing him go from “i will murder everyone on track” to “i love everyone” personality
@wonderBOYcharlesss
i can’t wait to see more!!!