Charles Leclerc has become synonymous with a unique blend of speed, skill, and an unfortunate streak of bad luck, especially when racing on the hallowed asphalt of Monaco’s street circuit. The Monte Carlo Grand Prix, a gem in the crown of Formula One, has yet to witness Leclerc atop its podium despite his intimate familiarity with its twists and turns, having grown up in the very principality that hosts this iconic race. This year, however, Leclerc secured pole position with a stirring performance, raising hopes that he might finally break the so-called “Monaco Curse” that has plagued his past participations. With a history of near-misses, mishaps, and misfortunes marring his previous attempts, this weekend presents an ideal opportunity for Leclerc to rewrite his story at home, turning personal and professional dreams into reality amidst the glitz and glamour of Monaco.
In Monaco, Charles Leclerc’s struggles during his home Grand Prix have become well-known in the Formula One world. Yet, this Sunday presents him with a golden opportunity to change his fortunes at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Leclerc, who grew up in Monaco, secured his third pole position on its challenging street circuit this past Saturday. Despite a strong performance in previous races on these streets, a victory or even a podium finish has eluded him.
Having spent his childhood in the area, even catching the bus from what turns into the circuit’s final corner during the Grand Prix weekend, Leclerc is eager to make amends this year. His performance has been outstanding throughout the weekend, topping the time charts in two of three practice sessions before edging out McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 0.154 seconds in the crucial qualifying session.
Ferrari seems to be in a strong position with Leclerc’s teammate, Carlos Sainz, starting third. However, they face stiff competition from Max Verstappen, the championship leader, who will start sixth on a track notorious for its limited overtaking opportunities.
Leclerc’s past disappointments in Monaco have been a mix of personal errors and team misjudgments. However, he remains a clean race away from potentially celebrating on the podium with Monaco’s royalty, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, at one of the most prestigious events in the country.
Leclerc describes the qualifying in Monaco as the season’s peak tension moment but feels more relaxed heading into the race, emphasizing the importance of the start and the strategy surrounding pit stops. Despite past failures, Leclerc is focused on ensuring a positive outcome this weekend, aiming to break a winless streak that has persisted since the Austrian Grand Prix in July 2022.
Leclerc’s journey is marked by several notable setbacks in Monaco, beginning with a double withdrawal in Formula Two in 2017, a brake failure in his Formula One debut year with Alfa Romeo in 2018, a qualifying error with Ferrari in 2019, a crash after securing pole in 2021 that prevented him from starting the race, and strategic mistakes in 2022 that saw pole position squandered.
The 2023 season added another chapter of disappointment, as a potential podium finish slipped away due to a qualifying penalty and strategic bad luck during the race. Despite these setbacks, Leclerc’s determination to turn his fortunes around in his home race remains undiminished.
