Charles Leclerc finally ended his wait for a first victory at the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday. The Ferrari driver dominated the entire weekend to put the ‘curse’ to bed.
Leclerc came into the weekend having failed to score a single podium at his home race since his F1 debut in 2018. That was despite qualifying on pole twice at the circuit where track position is most valuable.
In 2021, he was unable to even start the race after sustaining undiscovered damage in a Q3 crash. His first lap was good enough for pole, but an error on the second cost him the chance to convert it.
A year later, he was denied by a strategic mishap from Ferrari. But he wasn’t going to let anything get in his way this time.
Leclerc topped two of the three practice sessions and then out-paced Oscar Piastri on Saturday by a tenth and a half. When a collision between Sergio Perez and the two Haas drivers brought out a first-lap red flag, he didn’t need to worry about making a pit stop.
Instead, all he had to do was nurse his tyres until the end of the race, and he simply controlled the pace at the front to do so. The 26-year-old has now won six Grands Prix in his career, having ended a drought that stretched back to the summer of 2022.
Damon Hill heaps praise on ‘huge heart’ of Charles Leclerc
Writing on his Instagram page, 1996 F1 world champion Damon Hill paid tribute to Leclerc after his milestone victory. He suggested that Leclerc may have developed a sense of ‘perspective’ because of the losses he’s experienced.
Leclerc’s father Herve died in 2017 when his teenage son was racing in F2. Two years earlier, he’d lost his godfather Jules Bianchi to a crash at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Hill says that the Ferrari star has now completed one of the most important ‘missions’ in his career. His next target should be winning the world championship, though it’s unclear if he has the tools to compete this year.
He’s closed to within 31 points of leader Max Verstappen after the Dutchman’s struggles in Monaco. However, the Red Bull driver remains the overwhelming title favourite.
“The guy has a huge heart,” Hill said of Leclerc. “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!”
How Charles Leclerc could be the Roger Federer of Formula 1
After Lando Norris broke his duck at the Miami Grand Prix earlier this month, Martin Brundle said he couldn’t recall as popular a win since Ayrton Senna’s first triumph in Brazil. But Leclerc’s victory in Monaco will surely come close.
1979 world champion Jody Scheckter says he viewed Leclerc as the ‘Federer of F1’ from the outset given his ‘style and talent’. The Swiss won 20 grand slam titles during his tennis career and was one of the most well-liked athletes of his generation.
Some have suggested that Leclerc needs to develop more of a ruthless streak to achieve his ultimate goals in the sport. His tally of victories [above] does pale in comparison to his 24 pole positions.
One former F1 driver reckons he would be ‘eaten’ by 2025 teammate Lewis Hamilton in a potential title battle because he’s ‘too nice’. But if he can show the same steel and poise he did in Monaco, he may be untouchable regardless.
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