Charles Leclerc turns to comic book hero for latest helmet inspiration

Leclerc has a special helmet design for the French GP — Photo: © LAT Images

French Grand Prix

Leclerc turns to comic book hero for latest helmet inspiration

Ferrari driver was a fan of Spider-Man when he was a boy

Sam Hall

Friday 18 June 2021 11:45

Charles Leclerc has revealed a special helmet design for this weekend's French Grand Prix takes inspiration from Marvel superhero Spider-Man.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is the highest-grossing film franchise of all time, raking in over $22.5billion.

Based on popular characters from the comic book series, it began in 2008 with Ironman, although six years earlier a four-year-old Leclerc was already fascinated by Spider-Man having seen the character on television.

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In designing his first karting helmet, Leclerc attempted to copy the look of the web-slinging superhero and for this weekend, he has gone back to this original design.

"After 19 years I’m bringing back my first design from when I started karting near here," said Leclerc on Twitter.

"I remember when I drew the design Spider-Man was on TV and I tried to make it look like his web. I've got many great memories from this part of my life, it will be special wearing it again."

pic.twitter.com/E9nw1BquFh
— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) June 17, 2021

France "close to a home race"

Monaco-born Leclerc may already have experienced his home race weekend but with Paul Ricard just a two-hour drive from the principality, the Ferrari driver is excited to again compete in front of a friendly crowd with 15,000 fans filling the grandstands each day.

“It feels very close to a home race," he said. "I started karting only 45 minutes from here so I still remember exactly when I did these first few laps where I fell in love with racing.

"It feels special to be here and there will also be some people in the grandstands which will be great to see so I am looking forward to this weekend.”