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F1 driver Charles Leclerc is a self-taught pianist who now composes his own music
22 October 2023, 17:57 | Updated: 15 February 2024, 15:37
Does Ferarri’s Charles Leclerc play piano? Meet the motor-racing maestro who works the pedals both on and off the track.
From the Grand Prix to the grand piano – Charles Leclerc, one of motor racing’s brightest talents, has spoken exclusively to Classic FM about finding a love for composition and piano-playing, explaining that it helps him slow things down off the track.
“My life has always been about speed since I was four and I started racing,” Leclerc said.
The 26-year-old Formula 1 star now tours the world, competing at the elite level of motorsport. The breathless 23-race season, watched by hundreds of millions, takes a Formula 1 driver and their team all around the world.
“The best way I found to slow down and disconnect from the racing world was music,” the Monégasque driver said.
During the pandemic, at age 22, Leclerc bought a piano and began to learn how to play. “I fell in love with this instrument straight away,” he told Classic FM. “I took a few lessons at the beginning to try and learn how to read music, which I did.
“But very quickly, I basically wanted to do my own songs – and that’s how I started.”
Read more: How Bizet’s Carmen came to be the soundtrack of Formula One racing
Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc shares his music
Following his own musical instincts, Leclerc has continued to play beyond the pandemic and to develop his own writing style.
His compositions are often inspired by the Grand Prix competitions he has competed in, with some of his titles taking their names from race locations he has visited.
“And now, whenever I’m not racing, I always try to disconnect from the racing season with music and with the piano I love,” Leclerc added.
Born in Monaco, into a family full of motor racing connections, Leclerc began kart racing at the age of four. Showing immense talent, he quickly rose through the ranks of open-wheel racing.
The driver was signed to Scuderia Ferrari for the 2019 season and has competed for the internationally acclaimed prancing horse team ever since.
Over his Formula 1 career, Leclerc has achieved 27 podium spots, with five wins. He is regarded as one of the most talented drivers of his generation.
Read more: F1 champion Lewis Hamilton casually jammed with Lang Lang on piano
When did Charles Leclerc start playing piano?
Leclerc says he has always had a deep love of music, but it wasn’t until the pandemic that he started playing the piano. With the Formula 1 calendar disrupted in 2020, and the driver spending more time at home, he decided to buy a piano and learned to play.
“Since then, I’ve fallen in love with the instrument and find myself playing it whenever I’m at home,” he said upon releasing his first composition.
In 2022, Leclerc started sharing his music-making on social media. “After posting a story on Instagram of me playing that piano piece I had composed, I had a lot of positive feedback from the fans,” he said.
“That inspired me to record it, making it easier for fans to enjoy my music.”
What are Charles Leclerc’s piano pieces?
Leclerc says his compositions are born out of his passion for music, and “as a way to disconnect from racing and relax in between races”.
As of August 2023, the Ferrari driver has released recordings of two of his compositions.
The first, released in April 2023 is entitled ‘AUS23 (1:1)’. As the name suggests, the piece was written around the time of Melbourne’s Australian Grand Prix. ‘AUS23 (1:1)’ features broken chords on the piano over slowly arching synthesised strings.
Leclerc’s second track ‘MIA23 (1:2)’ was inspired by the Miami Grand Prix. It features delicate pulsing chords, with a lyrical string line, doubled within the piano.
On 14 August, Leclerc released ‘Mon23’.
The 26-year-old is humble when talking about his compositional talents. “I’m a racing driver first, for sure – and I definitely don’t define myself as an artist – but I enjoy what I do.”
Leclerc shares his musical endeavours with his 12 million followers on Instagram – you can watch here.
Listen to Classic FM’s Calm Piano playlist on Global Player >
How can I listen to Charles Leclerc’s piano music?
It is quite remarkable that the driver has only been playing the piano and making music for three years. His compositions are striking for their lyricism and the way he uses harmonic tension to gently shape the music.
He has found a devoted audience for his music on his social channels.
“Charles has a really lovely piano touch and his first recorded piece of music is like a sweet summer memory,” wrote one follower.
Classic FM’s Myleene Klass, who hosts Calm Classics on Saturday and Sunday nights from 10pm until 1am, showcased the driver’s ‘MIA23 (1:2)’ and gave a premiere play to his new track ‘Mon23’ on Sunday 14 August.
And on 15 February, his new track ‘Focus’ is featured on Relaxing Evenings with Zeb Soanes.
Charles, we look forward to your next track!
