Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc finally broke his streak of bad luck on the streets of Monte Carlo in the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday, securing his first victory at the prestigious event. The 26-year-old driver dominated throughout the weekend in front of his home fans, putting an end to the so-called ‘curse.’
Charles Leclerc entered the Monte Carlo weekend without a single podium finish at his home race since his Formula 1 debut in 2018 with Sauber, despite twice starting from pole position with the Maranello team on a circuit where track position is crucial.
Three years ago, an incident in the final stages of the qualifying session left his car with undiscovered damage, preventing him from starting the race. Although his initial lap was fast enough for pole position, a mistake on his second lap cost him the opportunity to convert it into a win. The following year, a strategic blunder from the Maranello team pit wall denied him victory in mixed track conditions. Determined not to let anything stop him this time, Charles Leclerc was focused and ready.
He topped two of the three practice sessions and outpaced Oscar Piastri on Saturday by a tenth and a half. When a collision involving Sergio Perez and the two Haas drivers caused a first-lap red flag, he no longer had to worry about making a pit stop as Ferrari could change his medium tires with a set of brand new hards. From there, it was a matter of managing his tires until the race’s end, which he did expertly, maintaining control at the front. The Monegasque driver has now secured six Grand Prix victories in his career, ending a drought that dated back to the summer of 2022.
Damon Hill praises Charles Leclerc’s ‘huge heart’
1996 Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill praised the Ferrari driver on Instagram after his milestone race win in Monte Carlo. He suggested that the losses Charles Leclerc has faced have given him a unique perspective.
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Charles Leclerc’s father, Herve, passed away in 2017 when Charles was still racing in Formula 2. Two years earlier, his godfather Jules Bianchi died from injuries sustained in a crash at the Suzuka Grand Prix in Japan.
Damon Hill believes that Charles Leclerc has now completed one of his career’s most significant ‘missions.’ His next goal should be winning the world championship, although it’s uncertain if he currently has the resources to compete at that level given the fact that Red Bull seems to remain the benchmark in Formula 1.
The Monegasque driver has closed the gap to within 31 points of leader Max Verstappen following the Dutchman’s struggles in the Monte Carlo weekend. Nevertheless, the Red Bull driver remains the heavy favorite for the 2024 Formula 1 world title.
Damon Hill wrote: “The guy has a huge heart. He’s been denied many times but has kept his equilibrium. I wonder if, having experienced loss so many times in his life, has given him a perspective on sport? And yet winning means so much. It’s a paradox. It is not that important in and of itself, but as an expression of our innermost self, it is as powerful as the greatest art. Can you imagine the feeling? He can rest easy now. He has fulfilled his mission. A World Championship would be nice though! Time will tell. Stay tuned to F1. It’s going to be a bumpy ride!” – the former Formula 1 driver added.
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