Her || Charles Leclerc

34. Good Things Take Time

After the photoshoot, Matilde was whisked away to a smaller, more casual setup for her next task, recording a light-hearted "This or That" video for social media. It was a quick, fun segment, the kind that humanised her beyond the world of motorsport. She smiled easily as she answered questions about her preferences; sneakers or heels, city or countryside, pizza or pasta, Denmark or Italy, giving a glimpse into the side of her rarely seen by the public.

Once the video was wrapped up, Matilde was invited for a sit-down interview with the Vogue journalist. It was a refreshing change of pace. Instead of the usual technical questions about race strategy or team dynamics, she was asked about fashion, lifestyle, and her life back in Denmark. Matilde found herself smiling as she talked about her personal style, the simplicity of Danish living, and how she balanced the high-octane life of Formula 1 with her grounding roots at home.

But the solo session didn't last long. Soon, Charles and Carlos would join her for a group interview. The three of them would chat about their relationship on and off the track, the team dynamic, and how their shared experiences shaped the unique bond that had formed within Ferrari. Though this part of the interview was still for Vogue, it felt different, less personal, more playful, and filled with the camaraderie that the world had come to admire in the trio. All of it was perfectly suited for the upcoming issue.

"What is it like to have Matilde as team principal?" the interviewer asked.

Matilde glanced between Charles and Carlos, her eyebrow raised in amusement as she waited for their responses. The interviewer's question hung in the air, and a playful tension settled over the room. "You can speak freely," she said with a teasing smile, though her eyes showed a glint of challenge.

Carlos chuckled, his arms crossing over his chest as he leaned back in his chair. "Talk about the boss in front of the boss," he repeated, laughing as if the very idea amused him. "Dangerous territory."

Charles shot Matilde a quick, mischievous look before leaning forward, elbows on his knees. "It's always tricky when the boss is right here, watching your every word." He winked at her, then glanced back at the interviewer. "But, honestly, she makes it pretty easy. She's got this calm authority. You just know she's always in control, even when things get intense during a race weekend. But she's also approachable, which is rare. You don't always get that balance."

Carlos nodded, joining in. "Yeah, to be fair, it's been... different, in the best way possible. She brings a whole new vibe to the team. It's like she knows when to be strict and when to let things flow."

Charles jumped in, his expression growing more thoughtful. "She's not just about the numbers or the data. She's got this... human element. She actually cares about how we feel going into a race. I think that's rare, especially in F1. You don't always get a team principal who's as invested in the drivers, not just as professionals but as people. And she really listens; to the crew, to us, to everyone. It's like she sees the whole picture, not just what's happening on the track but behind the scenes, too. For example, every Monday morning she starts with a round through every department to listen to everyone. It doesn't matter if it is something positive, negative or personal, she always asks how you're doing."

Matilde sat back, listening, trying to hide her smile, through her eyes softened at their words. She didn't like to be the centre of attention, but hearing the honesty in their voices made her feel a deep sense of pride.

Carlos, never one to miss an opportunity for humour, leaned toward the interviewer with a grin. "But let me tell you, when she's not happy, you'll know it. She's got that quiet 'I'm disappointed' look that's worse than any lecture. Makes you want to crawl under the car."

Charles laughed, nodding. "Yeah, it's worse than if she actually yelled. But it makes us want to push harder, you know? Because you don't want to let her down."