Jay Shetty & Charles Leclerc ON 6 Ways to Mentally Reset After a Challenge

Charles Leclerc is a Formula One racing driver for Scuderia Ferrari.

Leclerc gained attention for his impressive performances in junior categories, winning GP3 and FIA Formula 2 titles. He made his Formula One debut with Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team in 2018 before joining Ferrari in 2019.

In this On Purpose episode, Leclerc offers Jay Shetty and the listeners a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the life of a professional race car driver. He shares insights on the passion, dedication, and relentless drive needed for success. The driver emphasizes the importance of sleep, lessons learned from mistakes, and the pivotal roles of family, mentors, and teammates.

How It Began

Charles Leclerc admitted to Jay Shetty that an alternative career to racing would have been architecture. Architecture has always fascinated him, and he is interested in exploring it more closely after his racing career ends.

Leclerc had his first experience in a racecar when he was three and a half. He avoided school that day and ended up at a karting track with his father. While he has few memories from such an early age, he remembers the excitement of driving a kart tailor-made for such young children. It was then that he fell in love with driving. The adrenaline and sense of control he felt that day stayed with him forever.

Sleeping Is Paramount

Formula One season requires full energy from a driver. Leclerc shared with Jay Shetty that his routine changed as he advanced from karting to single-seater categories like Formula 4, Formula 3, and Formula 2. With time, the amount of travel increased, but it was manageable when he had 12-13 races per year.

However, Formula One is different. There are 24 races worldwide and additional sponsor events and simulator sessions, which can become very tiring, especially towards the end of the season. To keep up with the demand, Leclerc focuses on maintaining a balanced life with proper training, diet, and sleep, which is crucial for handling different time zones and staying at peak performance.

The driver explained that lack of discipline can hinder long-term success. He sleeps 10-11 hours every night, and his diet is managed by a dietitian. He eats carbohydrates, especially before races, to counterbalance the significant weight fluctuations caused by extreme cockpit heat and water loss during races.

Physically, Formula One requires unique training, notably for the neck muscles - exercises for these muscles are hard to replicate in a gym. Moreover, Leclerc does cardio training and breathing techniques, which are essential due to the G-forces experienced during a race. Leclerc told Jay Shetty that despite efforts to train in these aspects, only driving can fully prepare him for the physical demands of racing.

Be Kind to Yourself

In his early years, Leclerc used to be harsh on himself, undermining his self-confidence. However, with time, he learned to benefit from his critical thoughts and used his observations as a learning basis. It is important to react positively to mistakes and learn from them.

Leclerc shared with Jay Shetty that adrenaline helps him avoid overthinking during a race. He cannot afford to think back on the track, as he must mentally reset for each corner, otherwise he will remain behind. After years of self-criticism, the driver can now confidently look back and analyze his performance with a growth mindset, instead of putting himself down for every mistake he made.

Loving the Job

Leclerc admitted to Jay Shetty that his dream has always been to become a Formula One driver. He is grateful to live the dream and never doubts his career choice. Even when faced with challenges, the driver reminds himself how fortunate he is to be in his position and do what he loves.

Although Leclerc's racing career spans over two decades, his enthusiasm remains the same. He believes that his motivation levels are still high because of the adrenaline rush he feels while driving and the opportunity to work with highly talented engineers and mechanics. He finds their dedication and expertise inspiring and enjoys learning from them daily.

The driver is fearless behind the wheel because he controls every move. However, outside of the race track, he fears situations where the control is external, such as bungee jumping or snakes.

His Father as a Mentor

Charles Leclerc's father was his mentor in his personal life and racing career. Losing him in 2017 was a very difficult moment for the driver. It forced him to mature rapidly, as he had to manage his career and family responsibilities at a young age in his father's absence. This event brought him closer to his family and instilled a sense of urgency and responsibility in him.

The day after his father's death, Leclerc competed in Formula Two. He wanted to win to make his father proud, who had always supported and guided him to get better. Leclerc has fond memories of them together, and he feels that this loss has made him even stronger and more ambitious.

Stay Humble and Grateful

Leclerc's father taught him two foundational values: to stay grateful and humble. He admitted to Jay Shetty that in his early racing days, success could easily inflate his ego. But his father was there to constantly remind him of the long journey ahead to Formula One. Moreover, he taught him about the importance of humility and persistent hard work, regardless of the success he experienced in the past.

Leclerc explains to Jay Shetty that humility has never been something he actively had to work on, because it was one of his family's values. Yet he acknowledged how challenging it felt to maintain hard work during successful periods and to be grateful during tough times. Now, the driver understands the importance of gratitude and recognizes the privileges of his position, which helps him manage the high pressure of his career.

Media Portrait vs. Reality

Because he is a public person, Leclerc is often confronted with media portrayals of him. He shared with Jay Shetty that the most hurtful criticisms are those that inaccurately portray him as arrogant, especially since these comments come from people who do not know him personally. Advancing from Formula Two to Formula One, he gained increased media attention, where every mistake is heavily scrutinized by public opinion.

With time, Leclerc learned to focus on the opinions of those closest to him. He understood that not everyone would know and appreciate his true self, and he prefers being authentic over being liked by everyone. He chose to be himself on social media and public interactions instead of trying to please everyone.

Scared for Driver Brother

Leclerc told Jay Shetty that he has no fear when he drives. However, watching his brother race makes him uneasy. He explains that there have been many safety improvements over the last few years, yet the risks associated with high speeds remain. So, when Charles Leclerc watches his brother drive, he is always on edge.

Formula One cars can reach up to 230 mph (370 km/h) - Leclerc shared with Jay Shetty that the real thrill of racing comes from the braking at high speeds in corners. According to him, the adrenaline rush he feels in those moments is intense and difficult to describe in words.

Dealing with Grief

Formula One racing has unique challenges, such as drivers only having three days to get accustomed to the cars before the competition. Because he has very little time to practice in real life, Leclerc must rely on his training in the simulator.

The driver explained to Jay Shetty that this sport does not come without risks - his friends Jules Bianchi and Antoine lost their lives on the racetrack. These losses affected him deeply, making it even more challenging to race on the same tracks where these tragedies happened. However, he needs to bury his emotions until after the race.

A Life Outside the Race Track

Charles Leclerc has a very busy schedule, as the Formula One circuit demands. He shared with Jay Shetty that he started playing piano during the Covid-19 lockdown as a way to unwind and disconnect from the pressures of racing.

Leclerc estimated having 30-40 days a year for personal downtime, typically around holidays. But despite traveling for most of the year, Leclerc made friends all over the world—whenever he travels, he has friends that he can visit, so he doesn't miss having a social life.

Practice and Mentorship

One driver that Leclerc looks up to is Ayrton Senna. He told Jay Shetty that he studied his race and learned about his persona through films and books. He was deeply impressed by Senna's precision on the track, especially during a time when Formula One racing was more dangerous than it is today.

Leclerc explained to Jay Shetty how he trains in a simulator. A massive simulator in Maranello attempts to replicate the real racing experience, including G-forces. However, the driver notes that simulators can't fully emulate the adrenaline and continuous G-forces experienced during actual races, making it challenging to prepare entirely for the physical demands of Formula One racing.

Leclerc revealed to Jay Shetty that he lied to his dying father about signing his Formula One contract. He did so in the hope of giving him peace, knowing his son had achieved their shared dream. But this lie haunted him until he officially signed the contract a month later. He believes that his father would be extremely proud of his achievements.

Aspirations and a Clear Vision

Formula One is highly competitive. However, since childhood, Leclerc maintained a strong relationship with fellow racer Pierre Gasly. Leclerc explained that Formula One is often perceived as a solitary sport, but it is, in fact, deeply team-oriented. The mechanics, engineers, and strategists play crucial roles behind the scenes, making it a collective effort despite the focus often being on the drivers.

Charles Leclerc shared with Jay Shetty his aspirations to win a Formula One world championship, not just for personal glory but for the joy it brings to the entire team supporting him. He enjoyed the victory feeling in the past and how it fueled his daily motivation, especially during challenging times. He pictures himself advising his future self to remember the tough times that seemed impossible to overcome and use them as motivation to keep going.

Leclerc also discusses with Jay Shetty the influence of Formula One on younger generations. He fondly recalls visiting a karting race and seeing the admiration in the children's eyes, which reminded him of his own childhood and the deep impact small interactions with idols had on him. He understands his responsibility to influence future generations and uplift aspiring drivers.

Finally, Leclerc stresses the importance of setting clear, achievable goals and making steady progress toward achieving your dreams. He recommends setting short-term targets that contribute to long-term ambitions, showing a disciplined and forward-thinking approach to life and racing.

More From Jay Shetty

Listen to the entire On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast episode on “Charles Leclerc ON 6 Ways to Mentally Reset After Challenges in Life & How to Change Your Mindset on Learning from Mistakes” now in the iTunes store or on Spotify. For more inspirational stories and messages like this, check out Jay’s website at jayshetty.me.