Leclerc Realized the Significance of His Monaco GP Victory with Two Laps Remaining.
In a historic moment for Ferrari, Charles Leclerc finally ended his Monaco Grand Prix ‘curse’ with a commanding victory at the 2024 edition of the race. Leading from start to finish in a race that saw a first-lap red flag, Leclerc became the first Monegasque driver since Louis Chiron in 1931 to win the prestigious event on the streets of Monte Carlo.
After securing a spectacular pole position on Saturday, Leclerc drove flawlessly through the 78-lap race. The early red flag allowed drivers to change tires, which eliminated the need for additional pit stops and underscored the importance of track position. Leclerc managed to control the pace and maintained his lead, crossing the finish line over seven seconds ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
Reflecting on his emotional victory in the cooldown room, Leclerc admitted that he struggled to keep his emotions in check as the race neared its end. With two laps to go, he found himself thinking about his late father, Hervé Leclerc, who passed away in 2017 before Charles made his F1 debut. Hervé had been a crucial part of Leclerc’s journey to Formula 1.
During the podium interviews, Leclerc expressed his deep emotions, saying, “It’s such a difficult race. Having started on pole twice before and not being able to win made this victory even sweeter. It’s the race that made me dream of becoming a Formula 1 driver. I was thinking about my dad a lot during those last laps. This win was our dream.”Arthur Leclerc.
Arthur Leclerc, Charles’ brother and also a Ferrari academy driver, shared his joy and wished their father could have witnessed this monumental achievement. “I’m so happy. It’s the first time I’ve cried seeing my brother win. I just wish my father was here to see this moment. The weekend has been perfect, and we’ll definitely celebrate tonight!” he told Sky F1.
The race’s strategy was simplified due to the red flag, with Leclerc’s main challenge being the management of his hard tires for the entire distance. “Initially, I thought we had a lot of margin,” Leclerc said. “But with 78 laps to do on the same tires, it was very challenging. We managed the tires excellently, and in the last 10 laps, I could push more and the car felt amazing. I want to thank the team for their incredible work over the past few months. Winning this race is a very special feeling.”
Leclerc’s victory at his home Grand Prix is a testament to his skill and determination, and it marks a significant moment in both his career and the history of the Monaco Grand Prix.
