Charles Leclerc heads into his home race at the Monaco Grand Prix as the defending winner but knows he and Lewis Hamilton are likely to struggle with Ferrari this weekend
Charles Leclerc admitted he is expecting «a tough weekend» as he returns to the site of his favourite Formula 1 victory. It took him several attempts but last year was when the man from Monte Carlo finally became a winner at the Monaco Grand Prix.
But repeating those heroics will be difficult. Leclerc admitted as much himself as he looked ahead to competing at what is likely to be a venue which does not suit the Ferrari cars at all, given their weaknesses at slow-speed.
«For several Grands Prix, our weakness has been in the slow corners,» he said. «Unfortunately, that’s all there is in Monaco, so I’m expecting a tough weekend.»
Ever the optimist, however, Leclerc went on to add: «At the same time, the circuit is so unusual and unique that we can hope there might be something we haven’t discovered about the car and that it will come through here.»
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Victory in Monte Carlo last year was an emotional one, particularly as Leclerc paid tribute to his late father Hervé who never got to see him race in F1. «I was thinking of my dad a lot more than I thought while driving – he gave everything for me to be here, it was a dream of ours to race here and to win,» he said after that win.
But as he heads into his seventh F1 race in Monaco as the defending champion for the first time, the Ferrari driver said he feels «no particular pressure or relief» that is any different to what he usually experiences whenever he heads out to drive on the streets upon which he grew up.
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He said: We didn’t manage to make it happen in previous years, but last year we did. Even though I’m used to it, it’s still a very special weekend after the many commitments I have to honour throughout the week. I hope to repeat last year’s result.
«Winning in Monaco gives you confidence because the driver can really make a difference on the circuit. After so many missed opportunities, I savoured the win. It’s a breakthrough moment for every driver because it dispels any doubts and makes you realise that you can do it again.»
The secret to winning at Monaco is generally qualifying on pole, with overtaking so difficult with the larger and heavier F1 cars used today. Leclerc has qualified quickest at three of the last four Monaco races and still thinks he can do it again this weekend, despite Ferrari’s performance disadvantage.
He said: «In Monaco, it’s also so unique and so different than anything we’ve raced on over the season. We can have a bit of a surprise once we put the car down. I hope it will happen. And, if it doesn’t, I hope to be there on Saturday, which will remain the most important part of the weekend. But, on paper, it’s going to stay that way.»
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