In front of his home fans
Some time ago, in one of the videos published on the sport’s official social media channels, Formula 1 asked several drivers if they had to choose, would they prefer to win their home GP or the Monaco Grand Prix. Most of them chose the latter option. Even now, despite many considering it an anachronistic event, the Monaco GP holds a special allure for all Formula 1 drivers and, in general, for many motorsport enthusiasts. However, there is someone who shouldn’t have had to choose in response to that question: Charles Leclerc, the only driver born in the Principality and capable of standing on the highest step of the podium in a race of the motorsport’s premier category.
The disappointment of 2017
The Ferrari driver is deeply connected to his homeland and knows practically every meter of the circuit by heart. However, both in Formula 2 and among the ‘big boys,’ his relationship with the home track has always been troubled. In his triumphant period in the junior series, Charles Leclerc failed to finish both the Feature Race and the Sprint race at home, despite securing pole position in the main event and comfortably leading the race. However, a problem with a wheel attachment took him out of contention, forcing him to end his day on the track prematurely. No one could have imagined that it would become a sad habit for Charles Leclerc in Monaco.
The first outings in Formula 1
Things didn’t improve when he arrived in Formula 1. In 2018, driving for Sauber, Charles Leclerc experienced another knockout blow caused by a collision with Brendon Hartley’s Toro Rosso, following a brake failure on his own car, eight laps from the end while he was in 12th position.
Even the move to Scuderia Ferrari did not help Charles Leclerc in this regard. In 2019, he retired once again, this time due to contact with the barriers in Monaco. On that occasion, the red #16 was putting on a real show on the track, trying to make up for the Maranello team’s glaring strategy mistake in qualifying when a miscalculation led to his elimination in Q1. Twelve months later, in 2020, the race did not take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection! Click here to enter the F1 online Store and shop securely! And also get your F1 tickets for every race with VIP hospitality and unparalleled insider access. Click here for the best offers to support Charles and Carlos from the track!
Squandered pole positions
This brings us to the last two Formula 1 seasons, in which Charles Leclerc, in front of his home crowd, secured pole position. Usually, starting at the front in the Principality guarantees success, but unfortunately not in Charles Leclerc’s case. In 2021, the pole position achievement was followed by an accident at the end of Q3, which eventually prevented him from participating in the Sunday race, leaving the starting slot he had earned the day before empty. Finally, last year, the first points scored at home were accompanied by perhaps the most bitter disappointment: pole position and the leading position thrown away due to Ferrari’s poor strategy management, effectively squandering a potential one-two finish with him and Carlos Sainz on the streets of Monte Carlo. For all these reasons, this weekend, Charles Leclerc will be out for personal vengeance against the ill-fortune.
Leave a Reply