No matter the circumstances, it was undeniably a significant part of the preparation for a much-anticipated triumph. The eradication of the curse of Leclerc’s hometown occurred on the streets of Monte Carlo. On May 26, 2024, the Prince of the Principality ascended to the throne of Monaco.
As for the Pizza… After securing pole position during Qualifying, thus solidifying the victory in a race that proved incident-free, with only one overtake throughout the event, which happened outside the points. Consequently, the top ten finishers in the Grand Prix reflected their positions from Qualifying. No changes of any kind. Therefore, the victory was secured during the final 12 minutes of Q3 on Saturday.
When asked by reporters if he had a good night after the fanfare that followed, Leclerc admitted: “I did. Actually, I slept very well. I indulged in a hearty meal on Saturday night. I ended up coming home too late and couldn’t cook.
“So, I decided to order my favorite pizza, which is not the ideal preparation for a race. But I thought, ‘Okay, maybe this will help relieve some pressure mentally.’ And yes, it did. I slept very well.”
Naturally, he was then asked: “What is your favorite pizza?” The winner of the 81st Monaco Grand Prix replied: “Margherita pizza with prosciutto crudo. Never with pineapple!”
Although it was a fantastic day for Leclerc, the race on Sunday turned out to be a disappointment. After an exciting preparation during the free practices and an intense Qualifying session the day before, the race itself was anticlimactic, to say the least. However, this has been the case for many Grand Prix events at this venue, especially exacerbated in this era due to today’s long and heavy Formula 1 cars.
This is how things happen in Monaco. This applies to those who are new to Formula 1 and mistakenly believe that every race is as exciting as the fabulous 2021 season. However, this did not diminish the importance of the occasion and the local hero who took Oscar Piastri from McLaren and Carlos Sainz to a double podium for Ferrari.
After securing his sixth victory in the Grand Prix, perhaps the sweetest of all, Leclerc recalled his memorable Sunday: “Even the parade laps were special, being on the bus and seeing so many of my friends and acquaintances on the balconies. It was truly a remarkable experience.
“However, the most challenging part for me were the last 10 laps of the race. More than being on the podium. I realized, with just two laps to go, that I was struggling to see clearly through the tunnel due to the tears filling my eyes.
“And especially on a circuit like Monaco, you need to be fully focused until the end. It was extremely challenging to control those feelings, those thoughts again, of the people who supported me to get to my current position.
“It’s just a win. The season is still very long. It carries the same 25 points as any other win. However, emotionally, this one has significant meaning. Also, the fact that we started on pole position twice in the past and couldn’t secure the win for various reasons.”
Regarding the ‘Leclerc-Monaco Curse,’ the local hero stated: “I never believed in the curse. However, it has always been incredibly difficult on the two occasions I had the opportunity to win here. In one of them, I couldn’t even start the race. In the second, we made the wrong decision, I believe.
“Losing those victories was extremely frustrating. The thing is, as a driver, you never really know when the next opportunity to win will come, especially when it’s your home race and even more so when your home race is Monaco – such a special and challenging track, and a weekend difficult to master and execute flawlessly, which we did.”
“So I knew that today presented another opportunity. I knew how I felt the last two times I found myself in this position. But obviously I had a strong desire to secure the win today, so there was some tension. However, as I mentioned before, as soon as I put on my helmet and get in the car, I don’t feel anything anymore.”
“And then it’s all about maximizing the potential of the car, considering the tires and taking into account all the factors I needed to manage this race in the best way possible. So it’s more about the moments before the race and before putting on the helmet.”
Speaking of helmets, Leclerc was chased all day by Piastri’s McLaren, which featured a special paint job in honor of Ayrton Senna and displayed the colors of the legendary Brazilian’s iconic yellow helmet.
The spirit of Senna hung over Monaco throughout the weekend, of course, casting a shadow over the venue, marking the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Monaco Grand Prix, the race that Senna missed. He tragically lost his life during the previous race that year, the San Marino Grand Prix, a day after the fatal accident of Roland Ratzenberger during Qualifying at Imola.
When asked about the importance of winning the race where Senna triumphed six times, Leclerc commented: “Ayrton has always been my idol, and he was incredibly special in Monaco. I remember the first time my father talked about Ayrton, he told me to watch this onboard footage of him driving through the streets of Monaco, and I was like ‘wow, this is insane!’
“And from that day on, I kept learning more and more about Ayrton as I grew up, which only added to the fact that he was becoming more and more of an idol to me. But witnessing how exceptional he was in Monaco was truly amazing. And now, to win in Monaco myself, is absolutely incredible.”
Leclerc’s late father, Hervé, was inevitably mentioned during the race. In every race he took part in, Leclerc had thoughts about personal matters, but managed to stay focused. He recalled a tough moment in Baku in 2017, when he was still dealing with the recent loss of his father. During that race, he had flashbacks of the moments they had shared and the sacrifices his father had made for his career. It was a challenging moment for Leclerc to handle.
Emotions were running high in Monaco, especially for Prince Albert II, who has known Leclerc for a long time. When Leclerc was just 12 or 13 years old, he and his father visited the palace seeking support for his rising career. Since then, Prince Albert II has been a constant supporter, offering kind words in both good and tough times. The fact that the prince has witnessed Leclerc’s growth and provided unwavering support made the moment even more emotional for both.
This victory holds significant meaning for Leclerc, as it fulfills not only his dream but also the dream he shared with his father. The support he received throughout the weekend meant a lot to him. He expresses his gratitude to everyone involved.
By winning the Monaco Grand Prix, Leclerc joins Louis Chiron as the only other Monegasque to achieve this feat. However, it is worth noting that Chiron’s victory in 1931 predates the FIA’s regulation of Formula 1 races in the World Championship format we have today. (Additional quotes from Agnes Carlier in Monaco)
© 2024
Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton secured another impressive victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix this Sunday. With a breathtaking display, Hamilton overtook his competitors and crossed the finish line in first place.
The race started with a lot of excitement, with drivers fighting for positions from the beginning. Hamilton, who started on pole position, maintained the lead throughout the race, showcasing his skill and mastery on the circuit’s turns and straights.
During the race, several incidents occurred, including a collision between two rival drivers and a sudden rain that made the track slippery. However, Hamilton managed to avoid the problems and continued to increase his lead at the front.
In the end, Hamilton crossed the finish line with a comfortable margin, securing his 100th victory in Formula 1. With this result, he further solidifies himself as one of the greatest drivers in the sport’s history.
After the race, Hamilton expressed his gratitude to the team and fans for their ongoing support. He also mentioned the importance of staying focused and determined to achieve success.
With the Formula 1 season coming to an end, Hamilton is eager for the upcoming races and hopes to finish the year with more victories. His performance at the Brazilian Grand Prix certainly left fans excited and looking forward to what is to come.
The next race will be the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which promises to be another thrilling challenge for Hamilton and the other competitors. Fans can’t wait to see what the British driver has in store for this final stage of the season.
With another amazing victory, Lewis Hamilton continues to write his name in the history of Formula 1. His skill, talent, and determination make him one of the greatest drivers of all time.