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Charles Leclerc opens up on engagement with playful nudge for Pierre Gasly to follow suit

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc has opened up about his engagement to long-term partner Alexandra Saint Mleux.

The couple announced their engagement on 2 November 2025 with a social media post alongside their beloved long-haired dachshund, Leo, who was sporting a collar tag engraved with "Dad wants to marry you".

"Yeah, I mean, I'm very, very happy. Obviously, it was a special week, full of emotions. It's a very special moment for anyone to do that step," Leclerc told the media ahead of the Brazil Grand Prix.

"And yeah, Alex and I are incredibly happy."

When asked which driver he thinks will be next to follow in his footsteps, he said: "Easy. Pierre [Gasly]. I think Pierre. I need to put him under a bit of pressure. We grew up together, so you're next."

The couple made their first public appearance in July 2023 at Wimbledon and Saint Mleux has since become a regular visitor in the Formula 1 paddock.

"Incredibly engaged," Leclerc said when asked how engaged Saint Mleux was in his life in F1. "Not technically, of course, but as all of us, I think we are all human, and I think we are all supported by the people that are closest to us."

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari (Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images)

Expanding on her support, the Ferrari driver added: "Alex is the closest person that I have with my family, obviously, and they live the career just like we do, basically.

"The ups, then the downs, and they support us in the best possible way. And Alex has done that since the very first day I met her. So yeah, she's definitely a very important part of my life, obviously, but also of my career and the way you manage the ups and downs."

Since the announcement was made, the post on Instagram has amassed a staggering 7.2 million likes and attracted congratulatory messages from several others within the F1 paddock. 

Photos from Sao Paulo GP - Thursday

Bodywork on the Mercedes AMG F1 Team car

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Sebastian Vettel

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Sebastian Vettel

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur, Bernie Ecclestone

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

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Lando Norris, McLaren

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team, Sebastian Vettel

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Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

The flags of Brazil and the state and city of Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

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Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

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Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

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Mechanics at work

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Bernie Ecclestone

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Sebastian Vettel, Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal, Bernie Ecclestone

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Mini helmets of Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

Car of Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Sao Paulo GP - Thursday, in photos

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