Being a Formula One driver is a hectic existence – especially when you drive for Ferrari. For 10 months a year Charles Leclerc’s life is airports, hotels, media interviews and sponsorship duties in 21 countries – and let’s not forget the bit where he has to drive 24 races in one of the most demanding and competitive sports in the world.
No wonder then, that the 27-year-old enjoys pursuits that allow him to slow down and contemplate, pursuits like playing the piano, whisky, and chess. “My passion for chess started with my grandfather Charlie when I was about six,” he tells Esquire Middle East. “I saw him playing this strange game and he taught me how to play. I absolutely loved it, the strategy, thinking multiple steps ahead, trying to surprise my opponent. My only motivation was to try and beat him and the best way to do that was to be cold blooded.” Good training for F1, you might say.
Leclerc’s latest move finds him in Singapore for the launch of Chivas Regal Crystalgold, a revolutionary spirit that presents the flavours and aromas of traditional whisky and yet is completely transparent. Usually seen on the F1 circuit in glamorous locales such as Monaco, Las Vegas, Miami and Shanghai, Leclerc relished the opportunity to shift down gears and visit the Chivas Regal distillery in Strathisla in the Scottish Highlands in January.
“I was mindblown by the history, the passion and the heritage,” says Leclerc. “I saw the number of people that were working on this completely new product that nobody expected. I knew a lot of hard work went into it, but I didn’t expect it to be to that extent. It was inspiring.”
Leclerc spent a weekend at Strathisla being shown round by Chivas Regal master blender Sandy Hyslop, who was impressed by the driver’s enthusiasm. “Charles was so inquisitive about the distillery process,” Hyslop tells Esquire Middle East. “He wanted to know every detail and was taking notes on his phone as we walked around. I told him, there are people on my team that don’t even ask me these kinds of questions.”
Aimed at a younger market, Crystalgold is a smooth and approachable spirit with a taste profile of red apple, clove, cinnamon and vanilla. It’s a bold innovation for a storied luxury whisky maker like Chivas Regal. “For me, luxury needs to have a human sensibility and craftsmanship behind it, that’s very important to me because it brings out a special quality,” adds Leclerc. “Only a human can really give you that sensation.”