On the tenth anniversary of Jules Bianchi’s passing, Charles Leclerc bared his soul in an emotional tribute that peeled back the curtain on their shared past — a story of mentorship, friendship, and the kind of influence that shapes a man from within. Leclerc, Ferrari’s polished prodigy, recalled not the racer the world remembers, but the man behind the helmet — his godfather and childhood hero, whose relentless drive and warmth left an indelible mark on his life both on and off the circuit.
He spoke of their shared youth — nights spent watching forbidden horror movies, secret karting sessions on closed tracks, and the spark of competition that Bianchi carried into everything he did. Jules, Leclerc reminisced, was not just fiercely talented but unshakably determined; he hated to lose, whether in sport or in the smallest of games. That fire became the blueprint of Leclerc’s own hunger for victory, a trait he now admits lives in him because of Jules.
The Frenchman’s spirit, Leclerc said, was built on obsession — the purest kind of dedication. When Bianchi discovered a weakness, he attacked it with tireless intensity until mastery was inevitable. Leclerc’s voice trembled with admiration as he recalled how Jules once trained daily for months just to hold his own in a squash tournament against a top-20 player — an anecdote that perfectly encapsulated his godfather’s character: resilient, fearless, and unwilling to settle for less than greatness.
To Leclerc, Bianchi was more than a friend or a mentor; he was a moral compass, a reminder of what true passion looks like. Though fate robbed the racing world of a star destined for brilliance, the Monegasque believes Jules’s influence still burns within him each time he takes to the track. Every lap, every victory, every moment of pressure — somewhere in the blur of speed, he feels Bianchi’s unseen hand, guiding him forward.
As Leclerc concluded, it wasn’t the trophies or headlines that defined Jules Bianchi, but the kindness that lingered in his smile and the determination that bled through his every action. In remembering his godfather, Leclerc didn’t just honor a lost hero — he resurrected a legacy of spirit and strength that transcends time, reminding the world that some lights never truly fade; they merely shift to illuminate those they’ve inspired.
