Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton on what fuels them

While one’s a seven-time World Champion who’s seemingly achieved it all, the other is a dizzyingly quick multi-race winner whose crowning glories undoubtedly stretch before him. But what fuels Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to keep risking everything?

“Once you taste what it feels like to win a race, that is very addictive and you just want to reproduce that as often as possible,” explains Leclerc. “It might be a bit crazy, because as a Formula 1 driver, there's of course an element of risk involved, but that's never part of my thought process. And I believe that the day I think about risks, I will probably stop racing, because that's probably the day when you start to be less competitive.”

“Obviously, at the core we’re massively competitive, so excelling and winning is the ultimate goal,” adds Maranello newcomer Hamilton. “But I think what really drives me is knowing that I can improve every single day. I was fortunate enough to meet Nelson Mandela and when I asked him for advice, he was like ‘I’m still learning today’, at 92 years old.

“You can also help other people be better – tomorrow morning, I’m working with my foundation, and I’ve got kids coming up to the Grand Prix. Hopefully, in 10, 20 years’ time, they could be pioneers of our sport or thought leaders within organisations like Shell.”
 

“Power is the most tangible thing we can feel”

It’s the lead up to July’s British Grand Prix and the Prancing Horse’s prize drivers are taking a moment to reflect after a full day of face-showing duties in London at the prominent Shell Centre on the South Bank. This is a vital part of nurturing the enduringly fruitful Innovation Partnership between Scuderia Ferrari HP and Shell, which is as old as the sport itself.

Raised in the Ferrari stable for almost a decade and a driver for the team since 2019, Leclerc gladly takes the reins on the question of how the partnership helps impact performance. “It’s been super impressive to see how seamless the collaboration with Shell is, as engine power is the most tangible thing we can feel as drivers and the first thing we look forward to when we get into a new car,” he says.

And the ‘trackside to roadside’ spirit that informs the dual development of the Shell V-Power race and road fuels is something the Monegasque benefits from, whichever wheel he’s behind. “I love to drive on roads – it’s a way for me to completely disconnect. I always use Shell V-Power because I see all the work behind the scenes to get the best product possible, and I want to take care of my car!”
 

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“It’s imperative that we continue to push”

The partnership’s greatest test may yet come next year, when F1’s technical regulations reset once more with a renewed focus on decarbonisation and advanced sustainable fuels – something that’s become a personal crusade for Hamilton.

“The most important thing we need to work towards is sustainability and the impact we have on the planet. This is our home, ultimately, and we're responsible for making it a better place for future generations,” he says.

“Our sport, of course, is a serious contributor to that, as we're travelling to 24 countries around the world, so it’s great to see that we’re being mindful. The car industry is obviously moving in that direction, but F1 is also targeting Net Zero by 2030, and it’s imperative that we continue to push.”
 

“Our fans are so uplifting”

Hamilton’s strong showing at Silverstone was testament to his sustained desire to deliver for both his devoted home supporters and Scuderia Ferrari HP’s legendary ‘tifosi’.

“The sport fan base we have here in Britain is amazing,” he says. “Every year we usually go and do a chat on the grid on the Thursday, and the whole grandstand is packed when the cars aren't even running. The fans of Silverstone turn up in hundreds of thousands and really make that event what it is.

“Every race I go to for the first time in red is so special and unique. It’s been tough at times, but our fans are so uplifting, and it’ll help make the difference on the weekend. I think we’re probably going to see more red than we’ve ever seen at the British Grand Prix this year. There’s been massive anticipation for it, and I still don’t know how I’m going to feel, and it’ll be the same when we go to Monza.”
 

“To be in red is huge”

Leclerc’s own home race in Monaco took on extra significance this year, being the setting for Ferrari and Shell’s first race together in F1 75 years ago. As you’d expect, the novelty of driving for the sport’s most illustrious team round the streets he grew up on is yet to wear off.

“I feel very proud,” Leclerc says. “That’s where my passion really started for racing. I don’t even remember which age I was because I was too young, but I have a very clear image of being sat on the balcony of my friend’s parents’ apartment on the exit of turn one. We were playing with small red cars while watching the actual Grand Prix!

“From that day, I fell in love with the sport, and since then – and growing up learning about the history of Ferrari – I’ve dreamed of being there, so to be in red is huge. I’ve always been a huge fan of the team and now my only goal and target is to bring it back to the top.”

Click here to find out more about the innovation partnership between Shell and Scuderia Ferrari HP