Moving forward from the bitter disappointment of the Spanish Grand Prix and finally enjoying some moments of celebrations on the streets that saw him grow up as a child and maybe even put Ferrari back at the top of the two world rankings: these are the main aspirations of Charles Leclerc with just a few days ahead of Grand Prix weekend that for him cannot really be just like any other weekend. For the charm and tradition it brings with it, the Monte Carlo GP is special for all the drivers on the grid. Inevitably, however, for those born and raised in the Principality, the emotional value that this race takes on is different.
However, Charles Leclerc’s relationship in Formula 1 with his home race is incredibly unlucky to say the least. In fact, in the three events he took part until now, the Monegasque driver has never even seen the checkered flag.
And now Charles Leclerc admitted that he won’t be taking any big “risks” this weekend as he tries to put an end to the curse that his plagued his past home grands prix on the streets of Monte Carlo:
“I love city tracks – I like to flirt with risk,” the Monaco-born Ferrari driver sid in a recent interview for French newspaper L’Equipe, ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix – “On tracks like this you have no room for error. You really feel the adrenaline. Last year I took a big risk to get on pole position as I knew I would need a miracle to get to the front row – and I ended up in the wall. This time I won’t take such big risks because I understand that points are very important for the championship. I will do everything I can to win, but I have learned. Sometimes there are situations which require more caution. But I’m not going to change my approach and I will keep my traditions – especially sleeping at home.” – the Ferrari driver added.
At the same time, Charles Leclerc admitted that he has a laser-like focus on winning his first drivers’ title this season alongside the Maranello team: “All I want is to win the title with Ferrari. It doesn’t matter if it’s against Max, Lewis or anyone else. I want to bring Ferrari back to the top. But of course I want to win the race this weekend – Monaco is my home. It’s where I went to school. When I raced as a kid, the teachers wondered why I wasn’t in class. It would be great to win here in front of my family, my friends and all those who believed in me.” – he continued.
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But does Charles Leclerc feel more pressure as a Ferrari driver fighting for the Formula 1 world title? “Not really. Obviously, I am aware of the expectations but this season I decided to take a step back. In Monaco, even if I remain the same person, and apart from the big events it’s like a small village.” – he added, confirming that he is still very cautious despite most of the restrictions being eliminated, aware that having to miss a Grand Prix due to Covid would be devastating – “I don’t go out as much due to Covid because it would be a shame to lose a title because of that. As for the other drivers, we don’t see each other much. Sometimes, with Alex or Lando, we have a golf session in La Turbie. But otherwise, with Covid, we are all extremely careful. My life has necessarily changed and I have to prepare my outings, when I do them. Because I’m much more at home than before, totally focused on work. I don’t feel this pressure any more than I did in other years, but because I don’t go out of the house anymore, except to go to the gym. So my life is home, gym, rest and plane. I discipline myself to be at 100%!”
If he were to choose, would Charles prefer a win in Monaco or the world title at the end of the year? “Winning. I can’t choose but winning the title is the most important. I want the title!” But all the drivers dream of winning this race: “And me too. This is my home, here. When I was a kid, my teachers didn’t understand why I didn’t go to school. To win in front of my family, my friends, all those who believed in me, that would be special.” – the Ferrari driver concluded.
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