Leclerc hints at potential post-F1 career plan: ‘I’ll do just that’

Charles Leclerc has plenty of Formula 1 racing ahead of him, but the Ferrari driver has already offered a glimpse of what could come next when his days in the cockpit draw to a close.

At 28, Leclerc remains firmly focused on the business of winning and, above all, delivering the elusive world championship with Ferrari.

His recently extended contract is set to keep him with the Scuderia for several more years, continuing a relationship that began when he joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016 before graduating to its F1 race seat in 2019.

But while retirement is nowhere near the Monegasque's immediate horizon, he already has an idea of where he might fit into the sport once he eventually turns the page on his driving career.

A future behind the scenes?

Speaking on the Beyond The Grid podcast, Leclerc revealed that he has discussed the possibility of getting involved in driver management with his own long-time manager Nicolas Todt, a prominent presence in the field.

And the Ferrari star sounds considerably more interested in the idea than someone merely contemplating life after racing might be expected to be.

“One day, 100 per cent,” he said. “I spoke about it with my manager, Nicolas [Todt], who does this himself, whether it would be interesting to do that together once I'm done.

“I don't see it right now. At the moment, I'm 200 per cent focused on racing, on my driving and trying to make Ferrari win.

“When I turn the page, I most likely will stay around to do just that.”

For now, however, Leclerc's attention remains squarely on his own career. Having spent years climbing the Ferrari ladder, he has little appetite for becoming distracted by what comes next while there is still unfinished business behind the wheel.

His comments do suggest, though, that walking away from F1 would not necessarily mean walking away from the paddock.

No appetite for paddock politics

If Leclerc does eventually establish himself as a manager, his approach could be shaped by the same straightforward personality he has displayed throughout his F1 career.

The Monegasque was also asked about his interest in becoming more involved in the political side of Formula 1. His answer was considerably less enthusiastic.

“It doesn't really interest me,” he said. “I try to be just myself and as genuine as I can be.

“If that hurts me in any kind of relationship, I won't force things. This is the way I've always been, I've always hated to be the guy that needs to be nice for whatever reason.

“This is not me, and I will never change. I don't feel I have any enemies in the paddock, so it hasn't hurt me.”

• Read also: Leclerc singles out Ferrari car's qualifying conundrum

For Leclerc, then, the post-F1 plan may eventually involve staying close to the action without becoming consumed by its politics.

But that chapter can wait. For the foreseeable future, there is still a Ferrari championship to chase — and Leclerc intends to remain firmly in the driver's seat.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook