Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2019

The boy who would be king

Ferrari's wunderkind Leclerc shows glimpses of the skills needed to succeed at the very top

Outwardly, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc (above) and Red Bull's Max Verstappen are different characters, but they come from the same mould. Born just 16 days apart and still only 21, they look set to dominate F1 in time to come.
Outwardly, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc (above) and Red Bull's Max Verstappen are different characters, but they come from the same mould. Born just 16 days apart and still only 21, they look set to dominate F1 in time to come. ST PHOTOS: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Outwardly, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Red Bull's Max Verstappen (above) are different characters, but they come from the same mould. Born just 16 days apart and still only 21, they look set to dominate F1 in time to come.
Outwardly, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Red Bull's Max Verstappen (above) are different characters, but they come from the same mould. Born just 16 days apart and still only 21, they look set to dominate F1 in time to come. ST PHOTOS: ARIFFIN JAMAR
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The first question came in French. The second in Italian. The third in English. Each time, Charles Leclerc, facing the international media inside the Ferrari motorhome on Thursday, answered in the respective language, often with a smile.

Such adaptability and charm is part of why Leclerc has become both Formula One and his storied team's blue-eyed boy wonder.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 21, 2019, with the headline The boy who would be king. Subscribe