Charles Leclerc, the Monegasque sensation of Formula 1, has embarked on an entirely new high-speed journey—not on the race track, but in the skies. Stepping out of his Ferrari and into the cockpit of a Dassault Rafale, Leclerc trades the roar of an F1 engine for the sonic boom of a fighter jet. This extraordinary experience is captured in a new Canal+ documentary, set to premiere on November 3.
In the documentary Charles Leclerc: Supersonic, viewers are promised an up-close look as Leclerc joins the French Air Force at Air Base 113 in Saint-Dizier for a training mission. For Leclerc, this is no typical day of training: the Rafale, capable of soaring past 1,900 km/h, will expose him to a world of extreme G-forces and maneuvers unlike anything in Formula 1.
The project has been long-anticipated
Canal+ Formula 1 commentator Julien Fébreau, who co-directed the film, hints at how special this has been for him, sharing that he’s dreamt of creating such a documentary for over a decade. Now, fans will have the chance to witness an F1 driver in an entirely different kind of cockpit—one without wheels but every bit as thrilling.
In a striking teaser released on social media, Leclerc, clad in a fighter pilot’s khaki uniform, approaches the jet with a blend of excitement and nerves. A candid moment reveals his unease, as he jokes with the fighter pilot about the controls, half-jokingly asking about the ejection handle. Though uncharacteristically apprehensive, Leclerc’s curiosity and passion for speed shine through.
As he readies for takeoff, Leclerc remarks on the incredible opportunity: “It’s like being in a rocket,” he says. For a driver known for his precision and control at high speed, the Rafale offers a unique challenge: it’s raw power, stripped of the mechanical grip and aerodynamic calculations he’s used to in his Ferrari. This experience is about speed in its purest, most untamed form.
Scheduled to air at 5 p.m. on Canal+, Charles Leclerc: Supersonic promises to blend the adrenaline of motorsport with the intensity of aviation. For fans of speed, spectacle, and the boundary-breaking spirit of Leclerc himself, this is a chance to see him navigate uncharted skies.
