Winner of the race, Charles Leclerc from Monaco celebrated his victory with the Ferrari team. On May 26, 2024, during the Monaco Grand Prix, which is part of the Formula 1 World Championship and took place in Monte Carlo, Monaco, Leclerc finally clinched his home race. This victory may have significant implications and is a major achievement for Leclerc after years of trying. It more than compensates for the monotonous 78-lap race that preceded Leclerc’s shining moment on the podium.
Despite ongoing debates about whether Monaco should remain on the F1 calendar, this event has been a landmark since the 1950s and is considered the most prestigious Grand Prix of all. Leclerc, who grew up watching the same streets that now host the grandstands where local fans gather to support him, knows this better than anyone. Although he had several opportunities in the past to end his drought, it wasn’t until this season that he finally achieved the illustrious victory he had been chasing.
In 2021, Leclerc impressed by securing pole position in his underrated Ferrari SF-21, outperforming the Red Bull and Mercedes competitors. However, a crash during his final lap in Q3 at the Piscine chicane and a transmission shaft failure on his reconnaissance lap prevented him from competing. Standing on the grid for the national anthem, knowing he would only be a spectator, was a devastating disappointment.
The following year, in 2022, Leclerc found himself in a similar situation. While in the cockpit, he experienced a sense of helplessness, unable to prevent a strategic error from Ferrari that cost him dearly. These setbacks only intensified his desire to clinch victory in his home race, making his recent win at the Monaco Grand Prix even more significant.
Even when he was not in contention for victory in the race, he faced unfortunate circumstances. A brake failure ended his first F1 race in 2018, and he suffered a puncture with Ferrari in the following season while trying to recover from an earlier mistake.
Meanwhile, he was deprived of a likely podium last year when a penalty for obstructing Lando Norris saw him drop from third to sixth place.
Each unsuccessful attempt led to speculation about a curse on Leclerc. However, the Ferrari star dismissed such theories and refused to dwell on the disappointment.
Leclerc had a score to settle, and he did just that. From the start of practice, he was in excellent form, pushing his Ferrari SF-24 to the limit and taking risks that his competitors wouldn’t dare.
As noted by Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz, while others were cautious in finding their rhythm, Leclerc was already in qualifying mode from the beginning.
“He has always been incredibly fast in Monaco. He did exceptionally well,” said Sainz. “The only difference I noticed was that he seemed to be in Q3 mode, running twice, already in FP1, in Q3 mode, running twice.”
This translated into Leclerc topping the time sheets in the second and third practice sessions, causing both Red Bull drivers to admit defeat.
With determination, Leclerc proved himself and clinched his third pole position in Monaco.
An unexpected engine change after the third practice session caused tension within the Ferrari team. However, Leclerc remained calm and focused on his ultimate goal. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur later discussed how Leclerc overcame the tension that was evident last year and approached this weekend with a calmer attitude.
Vasseur revealed: “Last year, he seemed a bit nervous and tense from the beginning of the weekend. But this year, he was much more relaxed from the start. From the first lap of the first practice session, he had a fantastic weekend. Even when we had a problem in the qualifying session, causing us to lose valuable time, he remained calm and in control”.
Despite Leclerc’s reputation as a driver who excels in single lap performances, he did not top the time sheets in the first two qualifying segments. This season, he struggled to show his usual speed, including an error in Australia that allowed Sainz to take the lead.
However, when Leclerc identifies a weakness, he works hard to overcome it. With some adjustments to his car setup for the final qualifying session, he regained confidence and secured provisional pole position. He then further improved his time on his second lap, narrowly beating Oscar Piastri.
“We faced some difficulties with the balance of the car,” he admitted. “I couldn’t find the right feeling. However, during Q3, we made some adjustments, especially with the front wing and tools, and I regained my pace. So, I was a bit more satisfied in Q3”.
The time difference was only 0.154 seconds, a small advantage all things considered. However, Monaco is not a typical track, and the similar margin between the second and seventh cars of McLaren demonstrated that Leclerc was superior to the rest.
Leclerc seized the opportunity, but he has been in the same position twice before, and Monaco has punished him severely in the past so he does not consider this achievement as guaranteed.
However, even by Monaco standards, the race turned out to be a much simpler affair, something that Leclerc had always hoped for but never experienced in the past.
A major accident on the first lap involving Sergio Perez’s Red Bull and the Haas cars at Beau Rivage resulted in a long 45-minute red flag interruption.
According to the sporting regulations, competitors were allowed to change their tires during a pit stop, which practically nullified the importance of strategy, as drivers in points positions took the opportunity to switch compounds and fulfill the mandatory change.
With 77 laps still to go, this meant that managing pace became even more crucial than usual, as cars were lapping closer to Formula 2 standards at certain stages.
But, as Leclerc hinted, driving at a slower speed in tight spaces has its drawbacks; concentration can wane, reference points can be lost, and drivers can become more prone to making mistakes.
Ferrari also had to navigate the potential risks that could arise if Norris, in fourth place, took advantage of Russell’s pit stop with medium tires.
The calm that took over the Ferrari team during race weekends is evident in their ability to communicate perfectly with strategists, race engineers, and drivers, without any concern about Norris posing a threat with fresh tires.
Compared to previous seasons, Ferrari displayed the same level of control and confidence as a highly successful Formula 1 team with multiple championships on their resume.
Ferrari also had some favorable circumstances. The red flag, which neutralizes the strategic aspect that normally plays a crucial role in Monaco races, worked in their favor. In addition, Sainz suffered a puncture on the first lap due to contact with Piastri at Turn 1, causing him to drop to the back of the pack.
This interruption prevented Sainz from being closely pursued by the McLaren cars, sparing him embarrassment. Furthermore, Piastri’s contact with Sainz resulted in damage to his own McLaren that could not be fully repaired, estimated to have cost up to 0.250s per lap.
However, Leclerc had his share of luck. He delivered exceptional laps when it mattered most, successfully managed two standing starts, and his seven-second lead at the end demonstrated that he had even more pace in reserve.
Leclerc’s strong finish ensured a smooth race to the finish line and allowed him to savor the final laps cruising through the prestigious streets of Monaco in a Ferrari Formula 1 car.
But it was at this moment that Leclerc faced his biggest challenge, and it wasn’t another driver. The closest thing to stopping him was not a rival competitor or even his own team, as it had been in the past. Instead, it was the tears that welled up when he remembered his late father, Hervé.
Tragedy has always been a part of Leclerc’s career, even before he reached F1. Jules Bianchi, his godfather who fought to ensure Ferrari recognized his talent, tragically succumbed to injuries while pursuing his own dreams in 2015. And in 2017, Hervé lost the battle against illness, missing the opportunity to witness his son’s success on the grand stage.
Since then, Leclerc made a promise to himself that he will not let their guide go to waste. He developed a mental strength that allows him to channel his distress into his performance on the track.
However, it became evident that the emotions that had been building up over the weekend had taken a toll on Leclerc. As he stood atop his victorious Ferrari car, he let out a roar that was equally passionate and relieved.
With a radiant smile on the podium, wrapped in the Monaco flag, Leclerc looked up to see his friends on the balconies. They were there for him in the tough times, when everything seemed to be falling apart.
Leclerc always wanted the love of Monaco, and now he has it. This may be a significant weekend that inspires him to reach even greater heights in the future.
Leclerc achieved the result that caught the headlines he longed for since his last victory in July 2022. Combined with his consistent performances this season and Red Bull’s struggles in Monaco, Leclerc is now 31 points behind the championship leader.
The recent updates made by the Ferrari team in Imola improved Leclerc’s comfort behind the wheel. Now, he has the ability to handle the SF-24 according to his preferences, unlike his unpredictable predecessor.
“Charles has shown great confidence in his braking abilities,” evaluated Marc Gene. “At Rascasse and Sainte Devote, he was exceptionally fast. We recently made adjustments to the car’s settings, and he expressed satisfaction with how the car now responds to his commands. From his performance in Imola, it is evident that he has been making the most of the experience of driving the car, and we can confidently say that he is pleased with its behavior.”
Unlike in 2022, Leclerc now finds himself in a Ferrari environment that fully supports him and aims to maximize his talents, rather than impose limitations on him. This transformation was mainly influenced by Vasseur, the insightful leader that Ferrari had been waiting for, who restored Leclerc’s faith in the brand.
Competition in Formula 1 has never been so fierce, but Ferrari is rising to the challenge with renewed determination, with Leclerc at the center of it all. Leclerc himself denies any belief in the curse theories that surrounded him, but there was undoubtedly a weight on his shoulders that has now been lifted. Vasseur firmly believes that Leclerc’s recent triumph in Monaco will propel him to even greater heights, solidifying his status as Ferrari’s prodigal son.
Vasseur admitted: “I think the victory in Monaco was crucial for Charles. He carried the pressure of that victory for years. However, it’s not just about Monaco; I believe this success will boost his self-confidence and have a positive impact on his approach to future events.”
Regardless of what the rest of the season holds, as Vasseur emphasized, the Leclerc of the past is now a thing of the past. The latest version of Leclerc, who will lead Ferrari’s charge to reclaim their position at the top of Formula 1, will arrive in Montreal with a new sense of purpose and without the restrictions that held him back before.
© 2024
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