A day in Maranello: all the love for Charles Leclerc.

That day in Maranello, the atmosphere was different from what I was used to.

Perhaps it was the thought of the imminent start of the new Formula 1 season. Perhaps it was the changes made inside the team and the hope of finally seeing a victorious team. It could have been many things. I understood the real reason behind that atmosphere only at the end of the day: it was because of Charles Leclerc.

Charles. That 25-year-old who, since the announcement of his arrival at Ferrari, has brought a breath of fresh air to all fans of the Prancing Horse. For years, the Maranello team had always chosen to hire experienced drivers. But in the 2019 season, they decided to bet on that young man from Monaco, with only one year of Formula 1 under his belt. Talent, determination, and a hunger to win set him apart.

But when I think of Charles Leclerc, those aren't the first words that come to mind.

My first thought goes to his love for Ferrari.

A love that began when he was still a child, watching the Monaco Grand Prix from a friend's balcony. A love that materialised in the 2019 season during which he wasn't supposed to be the lead driver. As it should have been. After all, on the other side of the Ferrari garage sat car number 5 of the four-time world champion, Sebastian Vettel. Yet in that season, Charles managed to earn all the support and love of the team and the fans.

After his first win at Spa, which unfortunately didn't taste like victory, Charles arrived at Monza and gave the fans the best gift they could ever receive. All Ferrari fans around the world will never forget the image of the Ferrari driver on the top step of the Italian podium, embraced by a sea of red. It doesn't matter if they were at the circuit, watched the race from their couch, have been following for years, or just started watching Formula 1 – that image is an indelible memory.

But it's easy to stay when things are going well.

When asked, "What's your dream?" all drivers answer, "To become world champion". Charles, however, replies, "To become world champion with Ferrari". Because he truly has it in his heart. He faced two seasons during which the podium always seemed so far away. He worked – on himself and with the team. And hard work always pays off.

Me and all the fans at the track that morning in Maranello – clinging to the circuit fences in the cold – were aware of it.

At the beginning of the morning, there were only about twenty of us. But this number grew quickly. The sidewalk of the street that overlooks the Fiorano Circuit filled up more and more. People tried to find the best spot, avoiding the trees that blocked the view. And once found, there was nothing left to do but wait. Then finally, when the garage door opened, everyone's eyes turned to the track to see Charles's first laps in the SF21.

A day spent with hands glued to the railing and eyes on the track. With frozen feet, dead phones, and memory cards full of photos and videos from the day. But the cold, the fatigue, and the tree branches scratching our heads are not the memories we took home from Maranello.

No, because what struck me most and what I will remember forever was Charles's kindness, his love for the fans, and his desire to try to please everyone.

After all, it's easy to be a fan of Charles. He never misses an opportunity to wave and say thank you. As soon as he can—during the first lap on track or during cool-down laps—you always see his hand popping out of the cockpit. After the test session ended, after some donuts for fun, the fans knew they just had to wait a little longer. After a few minutes, still wearing his racing suit, Charles emerged from the garage. Driving a Stelvio, he began to tour the circuit, stopping and getting out at every point where fans were gathered.

Between selfies, tossed caps, signed autographs, and a few postcards handed out, the fans left the Fiorano Circuit at the end of the day with smiles plastered on their faces.

That day, the streets were crowded, and cars were parked in the most unusual places around Maranello and Fiorano, hoping to avoid fines. Ristorante Montana posted an Instagram story with the phrase, "Charles Leclerc, you've clogged our parking lot, and it hasn't happened since the days of Michael Schumacher."

And it's true – the fans were countless. All with a single goal: to see the Red car run and catch even a fleeting glimpse of Charles.

A day that's very hard to forget.