As FIA Formula 2 [F2] celebrates its tenth season, Charles Leclerc has reflected on his dominant 2017 campaign and the experiences that helped shape his journey to Formula 1.
Driving for PREMA Powerteam, now known as PREMA Racing, Leclerc claimed the inaugural F2 title with 249 points, finishing 72 points clear of runner-up Artem Markelov. The Monegasque secured seven victories and seven additional pole positions throughout the season, building on his 2016 GP3 championship to finish his junior career with back-to-back titles.
As a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, Leclerc made his F1 debut with Sauber in 2018 before earning a promotion to Scuderia Ferrari in 2019, where he has remained ever since. He currently holds 9 Grand Prix wins, 27 pole positions, and 55 career podiums.
Reflecting on his time in the championship, Formula 2 spoke to Leclerc about how the series prepared him for F1, his favourite victory, and the memories he made away from the track.
Leclerc on the F2-to-F1 pathway
Since its 2017 debut, F2 has remained a key stepping stone for drivers aiming to reach F1. Only 22 drivers have graduated from the championship to F1 so far, highlighting how competitive the route to the pinnacle of motorsport remains. However, Rafael Câmara is set to become the 23rd, having recently secured a seat with Haad for the 2027 season. The Brazilian currently leads the 2026 F2 Drivers’ Standings, seven points clear of Nikola Tsolov, with two rounds left.
For Leclerc, his time in F2 provided valuable experience in race strategy and the technical demands of driving a car closer in performance to F1 machinery.
“Formula 2 prepared me in many ways. It was the first time in my career that I had pit stops, and you start thinking about strategy much more than before. Previously, the strategy was quite fixed, but this was probably the first time in my career that I really started to think about that aspect of racing, which is super interesting.”
“On top of that, it’s the car that is the closest in terms of performance to a Formula 1 car, so you get to understand more about how aerodynamics affect degradation, the car, and everything around it.”
Asked what advice he would give to the next generation of F2 drivers hoping to reach F1, Leclerc emphasized the importance of dedication.
“My advice is simple: just work hard. Work hard, go step by step, and push flat out.”
Abu Dhabi remains a clear favourite
Leclerc’s favourite moment came in the final Sprint Race of the 2017 F2 season in Abu Dhabi. After clinching the title with three races remaining, he arrived at Yas Marina determined to secure another victory and end his campaign on a high.
Starting P7, the PREMA driver fought his way up to P2 before closing in on race leader Alex Albon on the final lap. Leclerc made his move at Turn 8, squeezing past Albon to take the lead and secure his seventh win of the season by 1.293s.
Reflecting on the battle, Leclerc shared: “Probably Abu Dhabi, in my last race in Formula 2. It was pretty special. The fight with Alex was very tight until the very last lap, and that is my favourite winning moment in Formula 2. That race also included my favourite overtake.”
The people behind the memories
Beyond his on-track success, Leclerc also made lasting friendships during his 2017 F2 campaign. The 29-year-old highlighted his relationship with PREMA teammate Antonio Fuoco as one of his favourite memories from the championship.
“I have quite a few great memories. I was teammates with Antonio Fuoco, who became a very close friend of mine, and I have so many memories from that first year with PREMA. It was a very special team and we all got on super well together.”
Fuoco currently drives for Ferrari AF Corse in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and competes in other GT and endurance racing series. Notably, he also serves as a development driver for Scuderia Ferrari, having made his official F1 weekend debut during FP1 at the 2026 Mexico City GP, taking the wheel of Lewis Hamilton’s car.
Leclerc on how “incredible” it was to become F2’s inaugural champion
When asked how special it is to be known as the first-ever FIA Formula 2 champion, Leclerc concluded:
“It feels very cool. I remember growing up, I always heard those engines from Formula 2 and always dreamt of being part of that championship.”
“It only became Formula 2 once I arrived there, and it was incredible to be able to win that championship. It’s very special to be known as the first ever FIA Formula 2 Champion.”
