Clenches his fist: Charles Leclerc © APA/afp / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

Home curse defeated: Leclerc's triumph in Monaco

Charles Leclerc has overcome his home curse and won the Formula 1 classic in Monaco for the first time, well ahead of the frighteningly weak Max Verstappen.

26 Maj 2024

From: dpa

The 26-year-old Ferrari driver, born in Monte-Carlo, took victory from pole position on Sunday in one of the most prestigious races in motorsport. He was waved off first with the checkered flag by soccer superstar Kylian Mbappé and was able to look forward to the traditional princely dinner in the evening.

The Australian Oscar Piastri in the McLaren came second in the Grand Prix, which once again offered little racing action after a serious accident on the first lap. Carlos Sainz came third in the second Ferrari ahead of Imola winner Lando Norris in the second and still very strong McLaren.

Verstappen complains on the radio

Verstappen had triumphed in Monaco in 2021 and last year, but this time he only finished sixth and complained in the middle of the race: “It’s boring. I should have brought my pillow with me.” In the standings, the three-time world champion's lead over the now wide-awake competition continues to shrink: Leclerc is only 31 points behind before the next race in Canada in two weeks.

Max Verstappen just followed behind. © APA/afp / CLAUDIA GRECO

You all know how narrow the streets of the principality are - yet there was a crash just a few seconds after the red lights went out. Leclerc defended his pole position quite confidently at the front, while behind him Piastri and Sainz were already engaged in a heated duel that almost caused the Spanish Ferrari driver to be eliminated.

The race, which year after year reminds us of a journey into the past of the premier motorsport class, was over for a total of four drivers, including runner-up world champion Sergio Pérez after or better in the first lap. When attempting to overtake uphill, Haas driver Kevin Magnussen first hit the guard rails himself, then his car touched the rear of Pérez's Red Bull. The Mexican crashed his car violently into the barrier and all that was left of the Red Bull was a wreck. The Grand Prix was interrupted for around 40 minutes due to repair work, and Esteban Ocon was also missing from the restart. In the bitter Alpine team duel, he clashed with his French compatriot Pierre Gasly.

Leclerc's fight against the home curse

No one was injured in the crashes, which once again created a typical Monaco Formula 1 feeling. Fortunately. After the break, the sport continued with the original starting lineup. Leclerc stayed in front again. For the third time he took pole for his home race. Until then, he had never won in the streets where the only real Monegasque in the field grew up.

Past the yachts to success: Charles Leclerc © APA/afp / NICOLAS TUCAT

Instead, there seemed to be a curse on his home race. By Sunday he had competed in various racing series seven times and had only reached the finish line twice. One victory – none. This time it wasn't a stroll either. Piastri put a lot of pressure on after his McLaren teammate Norris had previously won in Imola. Behind Leclerc and Piastri, Sainz and Norris initially formed the top quartet.

The Ferrari driver couldn't afford to make the mistakes that Leclerc had made over the past few years and months; the lead was too narrow and the guardrails were too close. Even if this time there was no danger from the previous dominator Verstappen. After problems in qualifying, the Dutchman was only lagging behind for a long time in the race with his Red Bull and complained on the pit radio. Only with new tires did the Dutchman turn things up a notch and reduce the gap to George Russell in the Mercedes. But the Monegasque overtaking dilemma then caught up with Verstappen. He didn't come past anymore.

Horn concert for Leclerc

At the front, Leclerc drove towards the sixth victory of his career. Monegasse, who was once presented as the Scuderia's great hope for World Cup merits, had not won since July 2022. The fact that it worked in his home race and that the yachts started the traditional horn concert in his honor made his first home success all the more beautiful.