Why F1 business ventures are helping Charles Leclerc’s career | F1

Charles Leclerc says growing his portfolio of business interests is making him a more "open-minded" Formula 1 driver but insists his ambition of becoming world champion is still his number one priority.

While many drivers wait until retirement to explore entrepreneurial interests, the Ferrari driver has been building businesses and investing in companies outside of motorsport during his racing career.

Leclerc is clear that his off-track projects do not impact his focus on F1 even with the extra commitments.“99% of my time is dedicated to racing,” Leclerc said in an interview with Eight Sleep, a sleep technology brand that he has invested in. “I’m trying to be the best driver I can be, thinking about racing, trying to make sure that the performance on the track is the best.“Racing is, and will be, the main focus until the end of my career.

“Obviously my only ambition now is to be a world champion,” he added later. This is everything I've dreamt about, everything I've ever worked for.”

When asked about his interest in business, the Monegasque driver said: "Mainly because I love creativity and to create something out of my vision is something that I particularly enjoy, but also because I love to work with people.And then, like I said, talking to people and trying to get the best out of people is really something that I am passionate about.

And I really enjoy building a team and everyone working to the same mission and making a vision come true.And that's actually very similar to my sport as well because we are all working towards the same goal. " And to see so many people together, pushing in the same direction and so passionate about making it work, is a beautiful thing to see."

“I spent my childhood on karting tracks and working with adults, so I can build relationships with people,” Leclerc said.“I think that is the relationship with people in general, understanding people and making sure that they are in the best environment for them to do their best possible job is super cool,” he stated. “I was a kid, I started karting at three and a half years old.

“Growing up with my sport you always grew up with adults around because I had a mechanic that looked after my kart when I was driving. And this kind of relationship with people where you need each other to perform well on track. “And so when I was brought up I learned how to deal with people, how to understand people, how to speak with people, how to be sensitive to what they felt, and to make sure that you use the right words in the right moment, so that we all push in the right direction. Now you work with more people and more people and more people and more people.

And then you learn other things like structure and mentality and motivation. I started racing because I love racing, first and foremost, and the driving. I was very surprised growing up that I actually enjoyed the whole background and the actual relationships with people, which is what I really enjoy as well.”

The 28-year-old said working with people in a business environment has made him more “open-minded”.To work in a business, in a different environment, to meet different people who have different passions. And I think that opens your mind. So yeah, it definitely made me more open minded and that always helps.”