Charles Leclerc wins the Monaco Grand Prix and wins for the first time on home soil

The Monegasque won the sixth victory of his career, at home, on Sunday.

He fulfilled a childhood dream. After years of failure, Monegasque Charles Leclerc signed the first victory of his career in his country of origin by winning the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday June 26, after leading the race from the first to the last lap.

At the end of a long procession through the streets of the city-state, known for its not always spectacular races, the Monegasque crossed the finish line in first position, to the cries of a public completely committed to his cause, and celebrating loudly on the radio. He who had not won for almost two years and the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix becomes the first Monegasque driver to win this Grand Prix, after 70 editions. Behind him, Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) complete the podium.

Starting from pole and remaining far from the troubles of the eventful start and the four retirements that resulted from it, Charles Leclerc completed the race he needed to maintain his lead. Diligently, he managed his tires and his pace throughout the 78 laps of the event. He will also be able to thank Carlos Sainz, who played the role of teammate until the end to slow down the possible rise of Lando Norris (McLaren), the man in form of the moment. “No words can express what I feel […] It means a lot to me, I dreamed here when I was little of becoming an F1 driver.”, said the winner of the day after the race. He took the opportunity to make up part of his gap on Max Verstappen, who came sixth.

With this success, undoubtedly the finest of his career, he breaks the curse that has accompanied him on the streets of his city since 2017 and his Formula 2 season. Before Sunday, in nine races, the Monegasque had never before been mounted the podium. It even took him three years and three Grands Prix to see the checkered flag. Misfortunes followed one another, like the 2021 edition where he was unable to start despite the pole position after going off the track at the end of qualifying, or the pole position wasted after a start delayed by rain in 2022.

But before the explosion of joy from the local hero, there was the fear of the huge accident at the start of the race, on the first climb towards the casino, between Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) and Kevin’s two Haas Magnussen and Nico Hülkenberg, with the three damaged cars. The biggest event of the race from a very turbulent start, also marked by the contact between Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz, who suffered a puncture, and the collision between the two Alpine teammates, which caused Esteban to abandon Ocon after a too daring overtaking attempt. Despite this accident, Pierre Gasly finished 10th and pocketed a point.