Disclaimer: This article is purely educational and created for entertainment purposes. All information used is publicly available. We're not affiliated with Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, or Formula 1. This is a creative exercise in resume writing and career translation (please don't send it to Ferrari HR)! 🏎️
TL;DR:
We made a mock resume for Charles Leclerc and discovered his F1 skills translate surprisingly well to corporate life. Plus, his side hustles (ice cream, music, fashion, streaming) are a masterclass in career diversification. Scroll for the breakdown + practical takeaways for your own resume.
The Setup
Imagine you're one of the best in the world at what you do. You've proven yourself repeatedly. You're faster than 99% of your competitors. There's just one problem: your organization keeps making strategic mistakes that prevent you from achieving your ultimate goal.
Sound familiar? You might not be a Formula 1 driver, but if you've ever felt held back by circumstances beyond your control, you'll relate to Charles Leclerc's situation at Ferrari.
Charles Leclerc has spent seven years at Ferrari. He's delivered 8 race wins, 27 pole positions (the most of any driver without a World Championship), and 50 podiums. In 2022, he finished runner-up in the World Drivers' Championship.
Yet championship glory remains elusive, often due to strategic errors, reliability issues, and organizational chaos that even the most talented driver can't overcome.
So we asked: what would his resume look like if he were applying for a new job? And what can the rest of us learn from it?
The Skills Translation
The most interesting part of this exercise? Discovering how universally applicable elite performance skills really are.
From the Resume's "Core Competencies":
"Team Orders Compliance (reluctant but professional)"
If you watched Baku this year, you know exactly what that means. In corporate speak? That's "executing leadership decisions you disagree with while maintaining professionalism." We've all been there.
"Patience Management"
Seven years at Ferrari waiting for a championship-winning car. That's not patience — that's a masterclass in long-term commitment without guaranteed results. Basically anyone working at a startup.
"Resilience in the Face of Repeated Disappointment"
I mean... that's not even a skill anymore. That's just corporate life.
"Advanced Steering Wheel Operation (23+ buttons)"
Complex system management under extreme pressure. Although at Ferrari, half those buttons probably just say "We Are Checking."
Other Transferable Skills:
• High-Speed Risk Assessment → Real-time decision-making with high stakes• Radio Communication Under Duress → Stakeholder conversations while multitasking• Strategic Tire Management → Resource optimization and long-term planning• Weather Condition Adaptation → Pivoting strategies when circumstances change• Expectation vs. Reality Gap Bridging → Managing stakeholder expectations ("Next Year™")
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Career Lesson:
Your skills are more universal than you think. Every specialized skill has a transferable cousin. Always ask yourself: "What's the underlying capability here?"
The Side Hustle Empire
Here's what surprised us most: the side projects. While waiting for Ferrari to deliver a championship-winning car, Leclerc has quietly built an impressive portfolio of businesses.
CL16 Apparel (November 2025)
Just weeks ago, Leclerc launched CL16: his own clothing line. Not team merch. Not a licensing deal. His own brand, with himself as creative director.
• 12-piece limited-edition collection: t-shirts, hoodies, scarves, accessories
• Price range: €48-€150
• Campaign features Leclerc, fiancée Alexandra Saint Mleux, and their dog Leo
• Positioning: "Timeless, understated, and made to last"
This follows his May 2025 capsule collaboration with Ferrari Style, but CL16 is different. It's 100% his. He's not licensing his name; he's building equity in his own brand.
LEC Ice Cream (2024)
Leclerc partnered with Federico Grom and Guido Martinetti (founders of famous Italian gelato chain GROM) to launch a reduced-calorie ice cream brand.
• 399 calories max per tub (68% less fat than competitors)
• Went viral before it even officially launched
• Supermarkets stocked it just from anticipation
• Brand positioning: "WHY RESIST?" (brilliant double meaning)
Music Career (2023-Present)
What started as a COVID lockdown hobby on a $47,000 Steinway piano became a legitimate recording career.
• Released EP "Dreamers" with French pianist Sofiane Pamart (February 2024)
• Hit #2 on Billboard Classical Albums chart
• Limited-edition vinyl sold out
• Released follow-up single "MC24 / SIN24" in February 2025
Content Creation (2020-2022)
During COVID, Leclerc became an active Twitch streamer, building a huge audience playing sim racing with other F1 drivers (Lando Norris, George Russell, Alex Albon).
• Organized charity championship for WHO COVID relief
• Won both F1 Virtual Series events he entered
• Gaming chair investment: $0 (sat on wooden chair with cushion)
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Career Lesson:
Leclerc didn't wait until he needed a backup plan. He built these ventures while at the top of his game. You diversify when things are good: not when you're desperate.
The Diversification Principles
1. Follow Your Passion (But Make It Profitable): Ice cream, piano, gaming, fashion...all things Leclerc genuinely enjoys, monetized strategically.
2. Partner with Experts: GROM founders for ice cream, Sofiane Pamart for music. Strategic collaborations amplify impact.
3. Build Before You Need It: These ventures started during both good and bad times at Ferrari.
4. Own Your IP: CL16 isn't licensed merchandise, it's Leclerc's company. Ownership builds long-term value.
When to Stay vs. When to Go
Leclerc's situation raises the question every professional faces: when do you stay loyal to an organization, and when do you move on?
According to recent reports, Leclerc is considering his options for 2027, with interest from Mercedes, Aston Martin, and Red Bull. His contract runs through 2026, but after years of unfulfilled promises and a difficult 2025 season, the rumors keep building.
Signs It Might Be Time to Explore Options:
• Repeated strategic failures that undermine your best efforts
• Unmet promises — when "next year" becomes a seven-year cycle
• Your input is ignored (Leclerc and Hamilton's upgrade requests reportedly dismissed)
• External interest — when others recognize your value more than your current employer
• You're building exit strategies (ice cream, music, fashion...)
But Consider Staying If:
• Major changes are imminent (2026 F1 regulations could shuffle the order)
• Brand value outweighs short-term pain ("Ferrari driver" carries prestige)
• Emotional investment matters (Leclerc joined Ferrari Academy at 18)
• The grass isn't always greener (Mercedes struggled 2022-2024)
ℹ️
Career Lesson:
There's no universal answer. The key is honest self-assessment: Are you investing in your future, or just hoping circumstances will magically change?
Apply This to Your Resume
1. Quantify Everything
"27 pole positions without championship" isn't a failure, it demonstrates consistent excellence. Frame your metrics the same way. Did you process 500 requests? Improve efficiency by 40%? Lead a team through 3 transitions? Numbers tell stories.
2. Reframe Challenges as Achievements
"Extracting maximum performance from underperforming machinery" sounds better than "my company gave me bad tools." Focus on what you accomplished despite challenges, not complaints about the challenges themselves.
3. Translate Your Jargon
Make your experience accessible:
• "Pit stop coordination" → "Cross-functional team coordination under extreme time constraints"
• "Tire strategy optimization" → "Resource allocation balancing immediate vs. sustained returns"
• "Managing pit wall communications" → "Real-time stakeholder communication during high-pressure situations"
4. Build Your Safety Net Now
Don't wait for crisis:
• Financial diversification: Side consulting, freelance projects, passive income
• Skill diversification: Learn adjacent skills that expand your options
• Network diversification: Build relationships across industries
• Brand building: LinkedIn, content, speaking — establish expertise beyond your current role
The Bottom Line
Charles Leclerc's journey reminds us that even world-class talent doesn't guarantee immediate success. Sometimes you end up at organizations that can't fully utilize your abilities. Sometimes you bet on "next year" one too many times.
But here's what Leclerc does right:
• He quantifies his achievements even in difficult circumstances
• He diversifies his interests and income streams
• He maintains professionalism under extreme frustration
• He builds assets that belong to him, not his employer
• He's strategic about his long-term career rather than reactive
Whether he stays at Ferrari or makes the bold move to Mercedes, Red Bull, or Aston Martin, Leclerc has positioned himself for success. His resume tells a compelling story: elite performer who delivers results in suboptimal conditions, entrepreneur who identifies market gaps and builds brands, and professional who maintains composure under circumstances that would break most people.
The same principles apply to your career. Document your wins. Quantify your impact. Reframe challenges as demonstrations of resilience. Build your safety net through side projects and diversification.
And if your current "Ferrari" isn't delivering results despite your best efforts? Maybe it's time to talk to the other teams.
Ready to Build Your Own Championship-Worthy Resume?
Use Novorésumé's professional templates to showcase your unique journey. Our resume builder helps you:
• Quantify achievements with impact metrics
• Reframe challenges as demonstrations of skill
• Highlight transferable skills across industries
• Create visually appealing, ATS-optimized formats
PS: The resume template used for Charles Leclerc Mock Resume is the Creative Template.