Few corners at the Monaco Grand Prix have generated as much discussion over the years as Rascasse. While the tight right-hander is generally viewed as one of the most difficult places on the Formula 1 calendar to attempt an overtake, Charles Leclerc sees it differently.
The Ferrari driver recently reflected on one of the most memorable moments of his Monaco career and revealed how the racing philosophy of his late mentor Jules Bianchi played a major role in shaping his approach.
For Charles Leclerc, the famous corner is not simply another section of the circuit. It is a place where instinct, courage and years of racing experience come together.
A corner where opportunities still exist
Monaco is renowned for its lack of overtaking opportunities. The narrow streets of Monte Carlo often make track position more important than outright pace, turning qualifying into one of the most critical sessions of the entire Formula 1 season.
Yet Charles Leclerc believes that Rascasse remains one of the few locations where a determined driver can still create an opening.
The Monegasque explained that he has always viewed the corner as a potential passing spot, even though many drivers would consider such a move too risky. His confidence partly stems from memories of the remarkable overtaking manoeuvre Jules Bianchi executed at the same corner during the 2014 Monaco Grand Prix.
That move left a lasting impression on a young Charles Leclerc, who had spent years watching and learning from the French driver.
The influence of Jules Bianchi
Jules Bianchi remains one of the most important figures in Charles Leclerc’s life and racing career.
The two grew up together within the same motorsport circles and spent countless hours competing on karting circuits across France. During those formative years, Charles Leclerc closely observed the aggressive yet intelligent racing style that made Jules Bianchi one of the most highly rated young talents of his generation.
According to Charles Leclerc, following Jules Bianchi around karting tracks helped shape the way he understands racing today. He explained that competing against older and more experienced drivers from a young age accelerated his development and taught him how to position a kart — and later a Formula 1 car — in wheel-to-wheel battles.
Those lessons proved invaluable as his career progressed through the junior categories and eventually into Formula 1. More importantly, they helped develop the instinctive racecraft that has become one of the defining characteristics of Charles Leclerc’s driving style.
Remembering Monaco 2019
One of the clearest examples of that influence came during the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix.
That weekend remains one of the most dramatic home races of Charles Leclerc’s Formula 1 career. After a difficult qualifying session left him out of position, Ferrari found itself forced into an aggressive recovery strategy on race day.
Knowing that overtaking opportunities would be extremely limited, the Monegasque entered the race prepared to take calculated risks whenever a chance appeared. Among the corners he had specifically identified before the start was Rascasse.
Recalling Jules Bianchi’s famous move from years earlier, Charles Leclerc decided he would attack in a similar fashion if the opportunity presented itself. The approach was simple in theory but extremely difficult in practice: commit fully to the inside line, much like a karting overtake, and trust the move will stick.
When the moment arrived, Charles Leclerc did not hesitate. He successfully passed Romain Grosjean with an ambitious move, demonstrating the confidence and determination that have become hallmarks of his racing. However, his charge through the field eventually came to an end when he encountered Nico Hülkenberg ahead.
The move may not have transformed his final result, but it provided another glimpse into the fearless mindset that has often distinguished Charles Leclerc from many of his rivals.
Why racecraft matters in Monaco
Modern Formula 1 places enormous emphasis on tyre management, strategy and technical performance, but Monaco continues to reward pure driving skill more than almost any other circuit. The ability to judge distances perfectly, place a car within centimetres of the barriers and seize opportunities that others might ignore remains crucial around the streets of Monte Carlo.
Charles Leclerc’s reflections on Jules Bianchi highlight how much of that ability was developed long before Formula 1. The countless karting battles, lessons learned from experienced competitors and memories shared with Jules Bianchi continue to influence his approach every time he climbs into a race car.
As Charles Leclerc prepares for another Monaco Grand Prix, those lessons remain as relevant as ever.
And for Ferrari fans, his story shows that some of the most important influences in a driver’s career are not found in data, simulators or engineering meetings, but in the people who helped shape them long before they reached Formula 1.
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