I’m starting to get used to
… Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), qualified in pole position, had to retire just before the start of the Monaco Grand Prix, race that he has never finished in Formula 1 or Formula 2 since 2017.
You only had to see his face in the pits. Annoyed. Eyes in the void. Leclerc slowly realized that he had just lost a huge chance to win at home for the first time, in front of his family and his fans.
Because he had (almost) done everything perfectly, after setting the fastest qualifying time on Saturday. A pole position often synonymous with victory in the Principality, as overtaking is almost impossible in these streets that he knows by heart.
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Heartbreaking pic.twitter.com/8Mk5FtJKXy
– Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) May 23, 2021
But now, his car was stuck in the garage, the fault of a transmission shaft too damaged to take the start. On Saturday, after having set the best time, Leclerc wanted to improve again. Another lap to brush against the safety rails.
Too close this time: the pilot made a mistake in the bend of the Pool, finishing his race in these rails.
“Very, very difficult”
Saturday evening then Sunday noon, Ferrari had wanted to be reassuring. The team claimed that its driver would start from pole position, the car having no apparent damage
.
On Sunday, Leclerc therefore took the wheel for the warm-up laps. This is where the ax fell: the Ferrari had its transmission broken, and Leclerc his dream flew away.
In the garage it was very, very difficult
, he confessed soon after. But now I guess I’m getting used to this feeling in Monaco, unfortunately
.
I have never finished a race here. This year, I’m not even starting it, when I had to start from pole… It’s difficult
, continued Leclerc, who has been in F1 since 2018.
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At home, the Monegasque has always had to give up since 2017 after technical problems or clashes. Whether in 2017 in Formula 2, the antechamber of the elite, or in F1 in 2018 (with the Sauber team) then in 2019, for his first season with Ferrari. In 2020, the GP was canceled due to the pandemic.
Leclerc won his only two Grands Prix in 2019, in Belgium and Italy. And Ferrari, which has not won in F1 since September 22, 2019, had its worst year since 1980 in 2020, finishing 6th in the world.
It is an understatement to say that pole position was the hope of a rebirth for the most successful team in the history of F1. Ferrari still took second place in Monaco thanks to Spaniard Carlos Sainz, who arrived this winter from McLaren. But with Leclerc, it was a double on the podium that awaited her.
I feel bad for the team, the mechanics have done a huge job trying to check everything… It’s a shame for everyone
, added Leclerc, while congratulating Sainz on his performance.
Life in front of him
On the starting grid, the Ferrari was sorely lacking in first place. A godsend for the Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull), who started from 2nd place as planned but without anyone in front of him to prevent him from winning after the 78 laps.
Leclerc is now 6th in a ranking dominated by Verstappen who, at the same age as him, is leading the world championship for the first time.
During the protocol ceremony before the departure, we saw Prince Albert warmly embrace Leclerc and slip him a few words of support. Maybe he told her that his time would come, too.
Born on October 16, 1997 in Monte-Carlo to a father, Hervé, who was a Formula 3 driver and died in 2017, Leclerc has racing in his blood. And life ahead of him to imitate Louis Chiron, the only Monegasque to have won, in 1931, the Monaco Grand Prix in 78 editions.
– .
