The Drive to Survive effect on F1 has been massive. But how much of that fame is earned? Lewis Hamilton is undoubtedly the face of the sport and has millions of fans across the globe. At every circuit, even in the Netherlands, you will find a Hamilton fan. Turns out, Charles Leclerc is getting there soon.
With the Netflix series, all the drivers were given the spotlight, but it’s what you do with it that counts. Take Daniel Ricciardo, for example. America has adopted him as its very own. And you can see it. The MET Gala was a big example of how fame has translated into something more than F1.
Lewis Hamilton, with his houses and connections to American athletes, celebrities, and musicians; it was years in the making. But it wasn’t just his brilliant on-track performance that brought him here, it’s his magnetic personality. Success can only take you so far in building an image, and a fan base. Max Verstappen has his Orange Army backing him, but how much does that extend to the rest of the world?
Charles Leclerc is on the flip side of that coin. Right now, he isn’t having the best time on the track. However, his fan base has only increased. Now, Leclerc boasts a solid 10.9 Million followers on Instagram. Which is massive for anyone not named Lewis Hamilton. So, what is the secret to Leclerc slowly overtaking his rivals in popularity?
Lewis Hamilton set the example for Charles Leclerc
What sets Hamilton, Leclerc, and Ricciardo apart from, say, Verstappen, is fan interaction. Hamilton is notoriously kind to fans, in person, online or even at a distance. Every speech begins with a shout-out to them.
The same applies to Ricciardo, who also has an extremely lovable and funny personality to help. Leclerc is building the same image. Especially with him giving the fans what they want with his piano pieces, it’s brought him closer to those who support him.
With the content posted on his accounts, and his friendly interactions, he’s in a position where fans connect to him on a personal level. And in a world where this is so crucial, it’s only playing into his hands.
10.9 million is an extraordinary feat; making him the second-most followed F1 driver on the grid. To put things in perspective, Hamilton leads the way with 32.7 Million followers. Daniel Ricciardo sits at 8 million, while Verstappen has 9.7.
If Leclerc keeps up his relatable image and his kind persona for at least 5 more years, it’s no doubt he’d soon reach where Hamilton is. A page he can maybe take from Hamilton’s playbook is the extensive activism work and also building connections with American stars. However, Leclerc is the man of the hour, and let him bask in his greatness.
