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Leclerc looks back: 'My perception of Verstappen was different'
Charles Leclerc recently revealed how his early perception of Max Verstappen during their intense childhood rivalry differed dramatically from reality.
By Lesley Bakker - 2026-07-17T08:57:19.000Z - 1 min read
Charles Leclerc spoke candidly about his childhood rivalry with Max Verstappen. The Ferrari driver looked back on a period when their on-track battles were so intense that they shaped his perception of the Dutchman.
Leclerc indicated that at the time, he viewed Verstappen as someone with a difficult character. He even thought his competitor was 'a bad person', a striking comment about one of his biggest rivals.
However, the Monegasque driver stressed that this view was based entirely on their clashes on track. Away from racing, they barely had the opportunity to truly get to know each other, leading to this warped impression.
That situation has since changed, and the dynamic between the two top drivers has matured. Leclerc reflected on how his opinion of Verstappen has transformed dramatically over the years as they have gotten to know each other better.