The question of whether this will happen this year has become more persistent, a question that was not asked in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 26-year-old driver has never been able to reach the podium in his home race, despite making five attempts, four of which were with Ferrari. However, he has the opportunity to break that streak on Sunday.
“Monaco has a special place in my heart. It is true that I have not had much success in this race so far,” said Leclerc after finishing third at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola last weekend. However, I have always had pace, and that gives me confidence that it will be the same this year.
“However, Monaco is a unique circuit, and we need to approach it with a fresh mindset. Free practice sessions are crucial to gradually build our pace. But I believe we will be strong,” Leclerc stated.
The narrow and fenced streets of Monaco have not been kind to Leclerc, who grew up watching the iconic red Ferraris and used to go to school on a bus that passed by the track, dreaming of racing there one day.
In 2021, he secured pole position but could not start due to a transmission shaft failure. In 2022, he was again the fastest in qualifying but only managed to finish fourth. He also had an accident with a 1974 ex-Niki Lauda Ferrari during a demonstration at the Monaco Historic Grand Prix that year.
Last year, Leclerc finished sixth in Monaco. In 2019, he did not score points. This time, he arrives with four podiums in seven races and is currently second in the championship standings, which is dominated by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Verstappen, the Red Bull three-time world champion, won the race last year, and his intense battle with McLaren’s Lando Norris has been the talk of the sport.
Norris conquered his first victory in Formula 1 by beating Verstappen in Miami and finished second in the races in China and Imola.
Meanwhile, Verstappen won five out of seven races this season and started them all from pole position. This sequence of eight consecutive poles, including the previous season, equals two Formula 1 records. No driver has ever achieved nine consecutive poles.
“You have two high-performance guys facing each other like heavyweight champions Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk,” commented Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, after Norris finished 0.7 seconds behind Verstappen in the last race.
“The end of the race was fantastic, with battles sector by sector. You can see the cars converging. The latest updates have made them all very similar.”
McLaren will be showcasing a car adorned with a distinctive Ayrton Senna design badge, paying tribute to their legendary three-time champion who tragically passed away three decades ago in Imola. Senna, the unparalleled winner in Monaco, still holds the title of most successful driver at this renowned circuit.
On Wednesday, Norris expressed the need to pressure Verstappen, emphasizing the need for the Dutch driver to feel nervous again. Norris stated: “It’s about time someone challenges him and makes him feel the weight of pressure, as it seems he hasn’t faced it in a while.”
Remaining humble, Norris clarified that he does not intend to become overly confident. However, he aims to approach the races with confidence when competing against Red Bull and Ferrari, as McLaren finds itself in direct competition with these formidable rivals.
Lewis Hamilton, the illustrious seven-time world champion from Mercedes, is undoubtedly a competitor to be closely watched. Additionally, previous winners like Daniel Ricciardo from RB, Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez, and Fernando Alonso from Aston Martin are also expected to deliver captivating performances. (Report by Alan Baldwin)
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Portuguese fans are in ecstasy with the news that the national football team has won the World Cup. After an exciting victory over Germany in the final, the Portuguese players celebrated with a big party in the streets of Lisbon. Thousands of fans gathered to celebrate the team’s historic feat.
The team captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, was the hero of the game, scoring two decisive goals. His brilliant performance and inspiring leadership were crucial to clinching the title. Ronaldo was acclaimed as the tournament’s best player and received the Best Player in the World award.
The Portuguese team displayed high-quality football throughout the tournament. They faced strong teams and showed great skill and determination. The victory in the final was the result of months of hard work and dedication.
The players and coaching staff were welcomed with a celebration in Lisbon. The city was decorated with the colors of the Portuguese flag and fans gathered to applaud their heroes. The celebration continued into the night, with music, dance, and fireworks.
The World Cup victory is a historic milestone for Portuguese football. It is the first time the national team has won the tournament and fans are proud of their players’ performance. The victory brings hope and inspiration for the future of the sport in the country.
Now, the Portuguese are eager to welcome the team home and celebrate the conquest even more. The national team will be welcomed in an official ceremony and the players will have the opportunity to share their joy with the Portuguese people.
The 2024 World Cup will always be remembered as a historic moment for Portugal. The team showed the world the talent and passion for football that exists in the country. The players are true heroes and will be remembered as legends of the sport. The victory is a reason of pride for all Portuguese and a moment of celebration for the entire country.
