The streets of home and the Italian fans
Charles Leclerc has revealed the most meaningful victories of his career so far: Monza 2019 and Monaco 2024. Speaking on the BSMT podcast, the Ferrari driver described the incredible emotions he experienced in those moments, as well as the affection from fans both at his home race and at Ferrari’s home circuit.
Talking about his most recent win in Monaco, Charles Leclerc explained that he keeps both the helmet and the trophy in his home:
“I have it in my living room [the helmet, editor’s note], so I see it every day, together with the Monaco trophy. That victory was really special, along with Monza.”
“Monaco has always been a track that fascinated me. These are the streets I have driven on since I was 4 or 5 years old to go to school. I used to wait for the bus on the starting grid, so they are roads I have lived on since I was a child. Being able to win on those streets was truly incredible.”
Speaking about Monza, Charles Leclerc highlighted the unique atmosphere surrounding Ferrari:
“At Monza, the whole week is really special. As a Ferrari driver, you arrive at the track and you feel the support of all of Italy pushing Ferrari forward. Winning with all that pressure on your shoulders is not easy, but it makes the moment even more beautiful when it happens.”
But what was going through the Monegasque driver’s mind during the final lap? Here is how he described it:
“At that moment, I didn’t even know what my name was. I was feeling so many emotions that it was really difficult to stay focused, and that is the worst thing that can happen. Especially on a circuit like Monaco.”
“I remember that at Monza I started looking at the grandstands because it was crazy, especially in 2019 for my second win. But in Monaco there were so many emotions that it was very difficult to stay locked in,” he explained.
“They are the only two races in my life – Monza 2019 and Monaco 2024 – where I struggled to stay in my bubble. Usually, I am quite good at putting emotions aside,” he concluded.
Managing emotions during such significant victories is an extremely difficult challenge for all Formula 1 drivers: avoiding even the smallest mistake until the very final lap is crucial, because just a second of distraction – or allowing emotions to take over – can completely change the outcome of a perfect race.
Charles Leclerc’s reflections on his most iconic wins highlight the immense psychological challenge of elite racing. Holding back tears or excitement for such significant victories is an arduous task for any Formula 1 driver; they cannot afford even the slightest mistake until the final lap. A single second of distraction or “letting go” of one’s feelings could instantly derail a perfect race. For Leclerc, the unique connection to the streets of Monaco and the red sea of Monza represents the ultimate test of his mental discipline. By succeeding under that weight, he has cemented his place not just as a fast driver, but as a hero capable of delivering under the most intense emotional pressure the sport has to offer.
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