In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc claimed victory at the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday, shattering what Formula 1 commentators had dubbed the Leclerc “curse.” This win marks Leclerc's first triumph in one of the most prestigious races in Formula 1, a victory that has eluded him numerous times due to a combination of misfortune and errors.
Leclerc, a native of Monaco, grew up on the very streets where he raced to victory. His win was not only a personal triumph but also a poignant moment for the Monegasque driver. “No words can explain that,” Leclerc said in an ESPN broadcast after the race. “It’s such a difficult race. … It means a lot obviously. It’s the race that made me dream of becoming a Formula 1 driver one day.”
The race was not without its drama. A crash-filled start, including a three-car incident on the opening lap, led to a red flag and the removal of Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Haas drivers Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg from the race. The race resumed after officials cleared the debris, and the second attempt was accident-free.
Leclerc, who had qualified on pole position on Saturday, demonstrated superior speed over his rivals throughout the weekend. He controlled the pace on Sunday, and his lead was never seriously challenged during the Grand Prix. With fewer than five laps to go, Leclerc had built a lead and could taste victory, telling his team on the radio, “I’ll just bring it home.”
Finishing behind Leclerc were McLaren's Oscar Piastri in second place, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz in third place, and McLaren's Lando Norris in fourth place. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the defending triple world champion, finished sixth after struggling with the handling of his car all weekend and qualifying sixth. Verstappen still leads the 2024 world championship with 169 points, but Leclerc has narrowed the gap at 138 points with plenty of races remaining this season.
This victory was Leclerc’s first F1 race win in nearly two years, when he won the Austrian Grand Prix in 2022. The Monegasque driver signed a contract extension with Ferrari earlier this year and will be joined next season by Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.
The Monaco Grand Prix marked three races in a row where Verstappen’s dominance was challenged. Earlier this month he lost the Miami Grand Prix to Norris, and held off a charging Norris to win the subsequent race in Italy by less than 1 second.
The victory at Monaco is a significant milestone for Leclerc, breaking the so-called home “curse” and marking a turning point in his career. As the Formula 1 season continues, all eyes will be on Leclerc to see if he can maintain this momentum and challenge Verstappen's dominance in the championship.
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