IN CONVERSATION WITH CHARLES LECLERC

interview by TIMOTEJ & JANA LETONJA
words by JANA LETONJA

In a seamless blend of speed, style and sound, BANG & OLUFSEN have unveiled a striking new chapter in their legacy of acoustic innovation: the Beoplay H100 Charles Leclerc limited edition. Designed in close collaboration with Formula 1 star and global brand ambassador CHARLES LECLERC, this exclusive release captures the elegance of Monaco’s coastline and the precision of Danish craftsmanship. From the serene colour palette to the sleek silver-foil CL16 insignia, Charles brought his personal aesthetic and creative vision to every detail of the headphones. More than just a brand ambassador, he played an active role in shaping a product that reflects both his lifestyle and Bang & Olufsen’s century-long commitment to performance, precision and artistry.

How did your collaboration with Bang & Olufsen on this project come about?

Honestly, it developed very naturally. I’m a huge lover of music, of sound, but also of aesthetics. And I absolutely love the brand. We met KRISTIAN TEÄR, CEO at Bang & Olufsen, one day at a FERRARI event, and we started talking about potentially doing something together. And then we thought of doing these headphones together. It’s something that is super important to me in my life because I’m travelling all the time. I’m always on a plane, so it’s a way for me to put myself in a bubble and disconnect from everything around me. It was important to me that it felt authentic and that it was an item that I use very often, which is exactly the case.

This collaboration merges two worlds: high-performance racing and high-performance audio. How do you see those intersecting in your life?

I mean, the sound in both is very important. When I’m racing, the sound of the engine is what gives me the rhythm of the corners, and the sound of music is also what gives rhythm to my life. I also really like to use music to feel a particular way. So, there are definitely a lot of similarities. However, for me, music is more a way I disconnect from racing and from the crazy life that I have with racing. I’m always travelling from one place to another, so it’s good sometimes to really slow down and take time for yourself. And the way I do it is by just listening to music. I try to not think about anything else other than the present moment and the music in my ears.

What qualities in Bang & Olufsen resonate most with your own values or lifestyle?

I think Bang & Olufsen is probably the best brand in terms of the elegance of their different pieces. But what’s probably most important is the attention to detail. I think, whether it’s in the craftsmanship of every single item that Bang & Olufsen does or whether it’s in my racing career, attention to detail is very much present, and it’s something that we are always on top of. We both make sure that we really dig into trying to be as close to perfection as possible. And these are values that we share.

READ THE WHOLE INTERVIEW IN OUR PRINT ISSUE #13.