Although second in the championship, the Monegasque is struggling to assert himself as a future F1 Grand Prix winner, while Sainz and Norris managed to beat Verstappen. And competition from Hamilton is already looming… This weekend in Monaco, at home, we will have to react.
We know the drama of d’Artagnan told by Alexandre Dumas in Twenty years later : « d’Artagnan had not failed in circumstances, but circumstances had failed in d’Artagnan. » Two centuries later, will Charles Leclerc experience this drama… in reverse? As Formula 1 sets down in Monaco for the eighth race of the season, Charles Leclerc hopes to (finally) shine in his national Grand Prix. At 26 years old, and in six seasons, the native of the Principality has never been on the podium of the legendary circuit. Despite good circumstances (two pole positions and perfect knowledge of the circuit), Saturday’s hopes never turned into Sunday triumphs. Yet time is running out.
« The broken promises of dawn make the regrets of dusk “, says a Japanese proverb. Presented as a future great, Charles Leclerc began his adventure with Ferrari in an idyllic manner: two victories in 2019 (Spa and Monza) before experiencing two very complicated seasons due to a completely unsuccessful car. Despite these difficulties, the Monegasque was able to shine intermittently, making the most of his machine. In 2022, it’s a return to favor: three victories and a battle with Max Verstappen for the championship (at least at the start of the season). Since then, some questions have been asked about the Scuderia Ferrari driver’s chances of success.
For Leclerc nothing is simple: seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton arrives next year with the ferocious appetite of injured big cats
His last victory dates back to July 10, 2022. His teammate, Carlos Sainz, considered less talented, scored three successes (Silverstone 2022, Singapore 2023 and Melbourne this year). Even if he is ahead of the championship (Leclerc is second, almost 50 points behind Verstappen), the Spaniard seems to have a “little something extra” when it comes to winning. He knew how to seize his chance and exploit Red Bull’s (rare) weaknesses. Certainly, Carlos Sainz is no longer a threat, since he will leave the team at the end of the season. Except that for Leclerc nothing is simple: seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton arrives next year with the ferocious appetite of injured big cats.
The Briton has not won since 2021 and will very quickly want to impose his mark. A bad start to the season from Leclerc and the hierarchy could be shaken up: the veteran (40 years old in January) could take precedence over the youngster. He has the best choice of strategies, the best developments and confidence. Hamilton is the Prost of modern times: technically impeccable, tireless worker and very close to his engineers. “ He brings a lot, a lot of experience to the team, he has all the success he had in Formula 1Leclerc declared in February. It’s a very good opportunity for me too to have a seven-time world champion next to me : it’s a great challenge. But it is certain that learning from one of the best drivers in Formula 1 will be a good thing. » Leclerc will have no room for error and will have to work to keep up with Hamilton’s pace.
Establish yourself as a potential world champion
There remains reason for hope for the red people: since Las Vegas, Leclerc has always finished 4th or better (6 podiums in 9 races). Monaco is the ideal circuit to return to victory. “Asphalt Ace” in qualifying, the Monegasque masters this demanding city track to perfection where tires and rails dance tango. Each time, Leclerc put in too much (an dispensable qualifying lap which cost him his suspension and a retirement before the race) or his team put him in the wall (a pit call error in 2022). The arrival of Frédéric Vasseur allowed the Scuderia – which has not won on the Rock since 2017 – to put an end to strategic errors. The single-seater also underwent developments at Imola and can hope to get closer to Red Bull, which is increasingly competing with McLaren in particular: by winning at Miami and failing less than a second behind Verstappen at Imola, Lando Norris showed that the rest of the season would not be a cakewalk for the Austrian team.
On the Rock, Charles Leclerc will participate in a little more than a race: he ultimately stakes his future as leader of the Scuderia, must reaffirm his status as future world champion and calm down competition from “young hopefuls” like Oscar Piastri who impressed. The Monaco weekend started well for the man who also plays music and is passionate about fashion: he won the virtual Monaco GP on Thursday. You have to know how to grasp any circumstance.
