F1 | Leclerc: “Super victory. Dad’s dream and mine came true”

Charles Leclerc did it. The Monegasque driver managed to win his home race, the Monaco Grand Prix, on the third occasion in which he started from pole position. No inhabitant of the Principality had ever achieved this feat and Leclerc’s feat rightfully enters the history books of the small state, but also of Formula 1 and Ferrari.

Much of the work had already been accomplished yesterday thanks to a splendid pole position, but he had already found himself in the same situation twice before without having the chance to bring home success for the most disparate reasons.

This time, however, everything went well. thanks to him, but also to a tactically perfect Ferrari, which did not let itself be influenced by the two starts due to Sergio Perez’s terrible accident on the climb that leads from Sainte Devote to the Casino, replicating an excellent start and managing the 78 laps in a Perfect.

“I can’t explain how I feel…”, admitted Leclerc at the end of the race, visibly moved and happy. “It’s such a difficult race. I think the fact of having already been in pole position twice and not being able to then winning the race makes this victory even more beautiful in some ways.”

A hard-earned success, wanted with all his strength to realize his dream and that of his father, who passed away 7 years ago after having done everything to bring his son into motorsport and see him excel in the top categories.

“It means a lot to me, because it’s the race that made me dream of being a Formula 1 driver when I was little. So yes, it was a difficult race on an emotional level because with 15 laps to go you just hope that nothing happens, because I was already getting emotional and I was thinking about my father much more than I was about driving. He gave me so much and gave so much to make sure that I was here today, and it was a dream of ours, to make me race. here and then I could win this race. It’s incredible.”

Leclerc, rather than pushing, had to think about managing the pace of the race to prevent the McLarens from having a sufficient window to make the pit stop and appear behind the Reds with fresher tyres.

“It’s really difficult on the weekend here. At the beginning we had a lot of margin, but we also knew we had to do almost 78 laps on the same set of tyres. It was very difficult, but we managed the tires well. There was a large part of the race where I had to manage the margin over Russell to prevent the McLarens from making a free pit stop.”

“But then everything went well, in the end I was able to push more and the car was fantastic. I have to thank the team for doing an exceptional job in the last few months and for giving me the chance to win this race. It’s a very special”.

“I want to thank all the people in Monaco. Already in the drivers parade it was special because I saw so many people I know on the terraces. This weekend, this race, means a lot to me and I thank everyone for the immense support. Thank you all so much “.