(Monte-Carlo) Charles Leclerc has to solve a problem this weekend at home.
Posted at 2:57 p.m.
After dropping the top spot in the overall Formula 1 standings last week, the Ferrari driver is determined to reclaim it from reigning world champion Max Verstappen at the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday.
The glitch? Leclerc never finished the F1 event presented on the road circuit of the small Principality.
This constant is all the more frustrating as he grew up in one of the luxurious apartments overlooking the legendary circuit, and even learned to swim there.
“I’m unlucky at this track, but it’s part of motorsport and sometimes luck just works against you. I hope I can turn the tide this time around,” Leclerc told reporters Thursday. I love the place, and it’s a special race for me, having grown up here, and knowing every road that criss-crosses the area. »
Leclerc maintains a special link with the road circuit, which notably borders an Olympic swimming pool.
“My favorite sector is obviously the ‘Pool’, a series of two ‘S’ bends that go around the pool,” he said. It’s just wonderful; I love driving here. This is also where I learned to swim back then, so I’m attached to this place, which makes it even more special. »
Last year, the race was particularly cruel for the Monegasque.
He was in pole position when he suffered an accident on his last flying lap in qualifying, while Verstappen tried to steal it from him. The Scuderia worked tirelessly overnight to repair his car, but he was forced to retire just before the start due to a problem with his gearbox.
Verstappen therefore inherited the lead position, and he triumphed to snatch the top spot in the standings from Lewis Hamilton for the first time in his career.
Leclerc took part in the Monaco Grand Prix for the first time with Sauber in 2018, and he had to abdicate after crashing into a car in front of him near the end of the race. Then, in his first season with Ferrari in 2019, Leclerc was forced to retire due to major damage to the floor of his car. And in 2020, the race was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Leclerc has four wins and 17 career F1 podiums, but he would love to add a Monaco triumph to his tally. In the past, the late Ayrton Senna also had trouble at home, at the Brazilian Grand Prix, before finally winning on his eighth attempt.
“I would like to win here as soon as possible,” admitted Leclerc. Ayrton was my childhood idol, and I often saw the camera footage from his car here in Monaco, and it was very impressive. »
Free practice will be presented on Friday in Monaco.