Sweet 16: Charles Leclerc’s Yacht Sedici Launches

The world knows Charles Leclerc for his prowess on the Formula 1 racing circuit, with more than 50 podium finishes and counting. The management and craftspeople of Riva know him as a repeat client. Together, they celebrated the launch of his 99-foot (30-meter) yacht Sedici yesterday.

Sedici (pronounced SAY-dee-chee) is a Riva 102 Corsaro, a series that debuted in 2022, the same year as Riva’s 180^th anniversary. The superyacht is hull number 20 in the series. Numbers are significant to Leclerc, too. “Sedici” translates to “sixteen” from Italian, the numeral he chose when he began racing in Formula 1 in 2018. It’s further his birthday, October 16.

The flying-bridge motoryacht bears interiors and exterior styling by Officina Italiana Design, Riva’s longtime partner. Among the most noticeable profile features is the abundance of glass, specifically 1,507 square feet (140 square meters) of it. Curves and sharp lines combine to lend Sedici an air of speed, for which all Rivas are famous. Sea trials should confirm she’s quick, hitting a maximum of 26 knots and a cruising speed of 23 knots. (A higher-horsepower engine option pushes both figures up slightly.)

Leclerc, friends, and family can enjoy watching shorelines pass from a handful of alfresco relaxation areas. Combined, those areas total 1,076 square feet (100 square meters). Among them, the hardtop-shaded flying bridge has a custom bar akin to a show kitchen. It includes a big grill, an induction cooktop, two refrigerators, and an icemaker. Additionally, the yacht Sedici has a beach club, providing 377 square feet (35 square meters) of lounging space at the water’s edge. For convenience, Leclerc chose an inflatable watertoys platform to float adjacent to it when the yacht is at anchor. A custom toy-hauling ramp and a swim ladder complement the arrangement as well.

Leclerq was quite involved in all décor details inside and out, down to custom door handles. For example, he chose warm whites, beige, and grey to set the mood in the lounging areas and each of the staterooms. The tones echo in the Corian Calacatta Greige surfaces in the four en suite guest baths. In his own suite’s bath, meanwhile, Leclerq chose Calacatta Vagli Oro marble, with dramatic gold veining. Whether he’s enjoying some private time in his suite or gathered with friends in the saloon, good music, movies, and more emanate from the Bang & Olufsen A/V system.

Although this is Leclerc’s first megayacht, she’s his second Riva. He bought a Riva 66 Ribelle a few years ago, christening her Sedici as well. “Charles’s passion for Riva, which is of course reciprocal, is a testament to quality and beauty that we welcome with boundless joy,” says Alberto Galassi, Ferretti Group’s CEO. “Many thanks once again, Charles, have fun, and enjoy the water on your new Riva!”

Officina Italiana Design italianadesign.it

Riva riva-yacht.com