Jules Bianchi memories 'the best I have in motorsport', says Charles Leclerc

Charles Leclerc has described memories with the late Jules Bianchi as his "best" in motorsport, hailing the former Marussia driver as a key factor in his development.

The Japanese Grand Prix in 2014 is one of few recent dark days in Formula 1 history, with Bianchi suffering ultimately life-ending injuries on lap 43 in the pouring rain at Suzuka.

For Leclerc, this loss hit particularly hard, with Bianchi his godfather, and the pair having spent much time together during his formative years. It was the strength of this relationship, however, that prevented the Ferrari driver from calling time on his fledgling career after that weekend.

"It was incredibly difficult, but the thought of not continuing never once entered my mind, because this is what brings me to life, what truly ignites my passion," Leclerc told The BSMT by Gianluca Gazzoli podcast. 

"It's the thing I love most in the world, but this moment was definitely really hard to accept. I was in a race when it happened. I didn't really understand everything that had happened. Even my father tried not to tell me the whole truth, because I was about to get into a car for my race. Therefore, I didn't know all the details of what had happened. 

"Afterwards, he explained everything to me, and that came as a huge shock."

Bianchi was the first driver signed to the Ferrari Driver Academy when it launched in 2009, and was heavily tipped to move from Marussia to Ferrari ahead of his death.

Leclerc was ultimately able to follow this path, and has since secured eight grand prix victories with the Scuderia. In 2024, after securing his first victory on home soil at the Monaco Grand Prix, he dedicated the victory to Bianchi.

Reflecting further on his early experiences with Bianchi, Leclerc added: "I was 17. He was my sporting godfather. He had always been there from the beginning. I have some videos of the two of us at home, where he would take a kart; Jules would bring a smaller kart to race with me, who was 6-7-8 years younger than him. These are the best memories I have in motorsport. 

"Every Wednesday after the race, we would go and race together, and it was also a time for me where I learned a lot, because I was racing with people older than me, and especially with Jules, who was an absolutely extraordinary driver. 

"All of these moments were incredibly special, and that's what made happy. Therefore, there was never a doubt about continuing."