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Despite Owning a $3.3 Million Bugatti, Charles Leclerc Got Into a “Mess” to Bring $1k Vacation Experience Home

Published 01/10/2023, 2:45 AM EST

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Competing at the pinnacle of car motor racing, F1 drivers have a passion for expensive supercars. However, we hardly ever come across an instance where we get to know about their love for motorbikes. Charles Leclerc probably is not much of a motorbike enthusiast, but an experience during an occasion with one left him head over heels. So much so that he went through a lot to get it back home to Monaco.

Leclerc, in his very first season in F1 (2018), caught everyone by surprise. Driving for Sauber, the Monegasque finished 13th in the drivers’ standings, 4 places ahead of his teammate Marcus Ericsson. The stint helped him earn a seat with Italian Giants- Ferrari the very next year, the team he finished runner-up with, in the recently concluded 2022 season.

Charles Leclerc tells the “mess” his motorbike got him into

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Charles was on a vacation in Bali with his friends in 2018. Like many tourists in Indonesia, he rented a customized Yamaha Scorpio to ride around the town. The former Sauber man loved it so much that he decided to bring it with him to Monte Carlo. The bike cost 300,000 Indonesian Rupiah ($19) a day for rent. Without any customizations, it can cost around a thousand dollars to own.

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Speaking with Gazzetta about the bike, he said, “I have one motorbike, customized, which I bought in Bali when I went there on a trip with my best friends. We rented it on the spot and I wanted to take it with me to Monte Carlo, even though it was a mess to get it registered to ride there.”

When asked why he chose that particular bike, he replied, “Because of the memories it holds. I had just arrived in F1 and I decided to take all my closest friends on holiday, for the first time outside Europe. We had a great time.”

It is clear that the Monegasque holds the motorbike dear for its sentimental value because owning an ultra high-end expensive one is not a big deal for him, given the fact that he literally owns a $3.3 million worth (according to SCMP) Bugatti Chiron. That’s not it, he also owns a $3 million yacht!

Charles’ “spaghetti” experience

Charles Leclerc never misses out on an opportunity to drive vintage Ferrari Formula 1 cars. He has already driven the 375 F1 from 1951, the 312 T from 1975, and the 312 T4 from 1979. During the 2022 mid-season break, he got his hands on the 312 F1 that competed between 1966 to 1969.

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Talking about the experience of driving it around the Fiorano track with Ferrari’s official website, he said, I am very happy to have had this opportunity.” He continued, “Going from my current F1-75 to this 312 F1 is like switching to a whole different sport, although the excitement you get from driving any Ferrari is always the same. But I really enjoyed everything about this Spaghetti.”

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Watch This Story: Charles Leclerc Extends 6-Year Monaco GP Curse by Wrecking Iconic Lauda Ferrari Chassis

What do you think of Ferrari’s key man’s humble possession?

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Written by:

Nischay Rathore

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Nischay Rathore is a Formula 1 Author at EssentiallySports. Being a law graduate, he has worked at the Supreme Court of India as well as the High Court of Delhi. However, due to his adherent love for sports, he has now set out to start his journey into the world of Sports Journalism.
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Edited by:

Akash Pandhare