Charles Leclerc has revealed that Ferrari prohibits him from skydiving and skiing during the Formula 1 season. The Monegasque driver stated that his team does not allow high-risk activities that could jeopardize his performance on track.
The comments came ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, following an incident involving Red Bull's Isack Hadjar. Hadjar has been absent since the Dutch Grand Prix due to a hand injury sustained while boxing as part of his training. When asked if Red Bull imposed any restrictions, Hadjar replied, "No. I mean, next time I'll just be more careful. There are no restrictions. I'm not five years old, so I just need to think twice."
Responding to those remarks, Leclerc added that he does have some restrictions from Ferrari. "Well, I'm not five years old either, but I've got some restrictions," he said. "But not too many, and actually I ask nicely, then most of the time they accept. But yes, skydiving is probably not recommended, but that's also what I thought. It's a bit strange to restrict skydiving. Anyway, let's not get into this discussion."
Leclerc also highlighted that skiing is not permitted during the racing season. "Skiing. It's not that we are restricted, but we are also kind of responsible in a way, and skiing is not the safest kind of sport. So, you can do it right after the season, then the closer you get to the season, the less risky kind of sports I will do," he explained.
These restrictions are not without reason. Ferrari has made a significant investment in Leclerc as the team's leader, and an off-track injury could have a severe impact on his championship chances. Leclerc's long-term contract with Ferrari demands full commitment, including maintaining peak physical condition for every race.
Hadjar's injury while boxing serves as a stark reminder for F1 teams. The injury forced him to watch from the sidelines, affecting Red Bull's performance in the constructors' championship battle. Red Bull is reportedly reviewing its policy on driver activities, though Hadjar himself claims there are no official restrictions.
In Hadjar's case, he revealed that he received advice from seven-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez. Marquez advised Hadjar not to rush his return. Marquez's own experience in 2020, when he returned just days after surgery on a badly broken right arm, ultimately led to him missing the entire season and undergoing four major operations through 2022. Hadjar seemingly heeded that advice, opting for full recovery before returning to the cockpit.
With increasingly stringent regulations and fierce competition, restrictions on off-track activities are part of a team's strategy to protect its biggest assets. Leclerc, though not obsessed with skydiving, understands that his responsibility as a Ferrari driver includes avoiding unnecessary risks.
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