The 2024 Formulation 1 season delivered a number of memorable moments.
However one which will have topped the record got here a yr in the past on the Monaco Grand Prix when hometown hero Charles Leclerc, after years of heartbreak in his dwelling race, lastly broke by means of along with his first win within the Monaco Grand Prix.
Nonetheless, Leclerc will not be anticipating a repeat.
Talking within the FIA Press Convention Thursday forward of the Monaco Grand Prix, Leclerc downplayed his probabilities this weekend.
“I imply, if you’d like an trustworthy reply, then low, as a result of sadly our automotive hasn’t been notably sturdy in low-speed corners,” mentioned Leclerc when requested about his probabilities at one other win in Monaco. “And there’s solely low-speed corners right here in Monaco. So on paper, it doesn’t appear to be essentially the most promising monitor for us. However Monaco is so distinctive and so completely different from something we race on over the season that we are able to have shock as soon as we put the automotive down tomorrow – which I hope will occur.
“And if it does, then I hope to be there on Saturday as a result of qualifying will stay a very powerful a part of the weekend. However on paper, it’s going to be a tricky one.”
Leclerc did make it clear that Monaco is one circuit the place the motive force can doubtlessly make a distinction.
“Properly, it will probably make a distinction. I believe there’s been years the place we undoubtedly didn’t anticipate to be on pole, and once you suppose that you’ve got zero hopes, you simply go for it – possibly somewhat bit greater than individuals which can be attempting to handle expectations in Q3,” mentioned Leclerc. “And also you handle to do one thing particular, like I believe we did in 2021 the place we have been nowhere all season, however we managed to place it on pole right here. So, I nonetheless have hopes that we are able to reproduce what occurred final yr. Clearly, it’s nonetheless very contemporary in my thoughts to come back again on this paddock. The final time I used to be there, we received, and it was a really particular second for me.”
Leclerc went on to say that there’s an “alternative” for him this week, given his earlier success on road circuits.
“After all, you consider in your self,” started Leclerc.
“I do know that on road tracks, it’s been comparatively constructive for me previously, so I do know that there’s a possibility there. The one factor that I’ll say adjustments from this yr in comparison with different years is that we’ve a really particular weak spot, in my view, that are slow-speed corners. And Monaco being solely slow-speed corners, it is going to be a really huge achievement – and a really huge shock as effectively – if we’re rather a lot higher than what we anticipate,” continued the Ferrari driver.
“However yeah, the motivation that I’ve coming right here is at all times very particular. It’s a really distinctive monitor, very completely different to what we’re used to all over the place else. And we may be stunned positively. So the hopes are nonetheless excessive, however let’s say that on paper, it doesn’t look as constructive.”
Leclerc modified his hometown luck a yr in the past on the streets the place he realized to drive. However to listen to him discuss, he may want much more luck this yr if he needs to repeat within the Monaco Grand Prix.
