And now the friendship and rivalries have moved on to the golf course. Leclerc, Albon and Norris play regularly. It's for fun and relaxation but, being elite sportsmen, they also want to beat each other. It seems an odd fit for F1 drivers, even if famously Nigel Mansell was a quality golfer. What's the appeal? I mean, sometimes it can happen. One out of 200 crashes, you'll get something very strange happen. But I just don't like to lose time with finding excuses, because that's exactly when you start to lose time, and you just don't go forward. Leclerc is part of a remarkable generation of young drivers in F1. Verstappen, George Russell, Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon and Lance Stroll were contemporaries in karting, Lando Norris close behind. They are compact enough to find a happy home anywhere and look even better in a group - start your collection today!

Charles Leclerc Cardboard Cutout – mycardboardcutout

Charles Leclerc (Blue Suit) Cardboard Cutouts are great for parties and events but are equally popular for use at home. I really feel like this first part of the season has been my strongest in F1 and I think the way I have worked," Leclerc says, "and the way we have worked as a team - in terms of finding the right set-up, in terms of building up to the qualifying lap in Q3, or just preparing the race - has been the best I have ever done in F1.Twice his engine has failed while leading. Three times now Ferrari's strategists have thrown away a lead for Leclerc and turned it into a lower finish. And Leclerc himself has not been blameless either. A spin at Imola in April turned third place into sixth. Much worse was his crashing out of the lead in France last month. This lifesize cutout of Charles Leclerc captures the Formula 1 driver in a dashing smart suit. Whether you're an avid motorsport enthusiast or simply admire his talent, this cardboard cutout allows fans to bring the thrill of Formula 1 into their own spaces. We use only the finest materials to make our Cutouts and every one carries the unique Celebrity Cutouts Hologram - your assurance of excellence. We use only the finest materials to make our Charles Leclerc (Blue Suit) Cardboard Cutouts and every one carries the unique Celebrity Cutouts Hologram - your assurance of excellence.

Charles Leclerc Cardboard Cutout - Etsy

I really don't see the point of hiding it," he says. "And sometimes it is so obvious to everybody that the mistake comes from driver, I just don't understand the drivers that are trying to have excuses with the wind or whatsoever.

Sign up and get exclusive special deals

Already at an extremely high level, Leclerc has stepped up this year. His advantage over team-mate Sainz in qualifying, for example, has increased significantly. Last year, it was 11-7 to Leclerc in their head-to-head over the year, at an average advantage of 0.122 seconds; in 2022, it's 9-2 where a fair comparison is possible, at 0.187secs. I think there has been a linear progression since I arrived in Formula 1 just by learning year after year and trying to modify some details," he says. It depends on the situation, on the person you're facing, your opponent," he says. "How far is he willing to go?

Charles Leclerc: Ferrari driver on honesty, learning from Charles Leclerc: Ferrari driver on honesty, learning from

Some drivers take a different approach. The concept of a "racing drivers' book of excuses" has long been in the F1 lexicon. Michael Schumacher, for one, was notorious for never admitting he had made a error - at least not in public. For Leclerc, this is anathema.

You may also like...

Our Mini Cutouts make unique and exciting presents for fans and are especially popular as secret Santa gifts. So I think, mentally, it's a very good exercise and that's why we love it so much as drivers." Leclerc came through the junior ranks alongside fellow future F1 drivers George Russell, (left) and Alex Albon (right) The climax to the season