BREAKING: F1 fans fear for Charles Leclerc as Ferrari star is mobbed in Melbourne: ‘Jesus, this is crazy!’.. Read more
F1 fans fear for Charles Leclerc as Ferrari star is mobbed in Melbourne: ‘Jesus, this is crazy!’
Formula 1 fans have expressed serious concern for Ferrari superstar Charles Leclerc after shocking footage emerged of the Monégasque driver being mobbed by a crowd of supporters in Melbourne ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
Leclerc, who is preparing to lead Ferrari’s charge at the iconic Australian Grand Prix, has already been at the centre of attention in the build-up to the new campaign. The 2026 season promises to be pivotal for the Scuderia, and Leclerc arrives in Australia with both momentum on track and joy in his personal life.
Just weeks ago, the 27-year-old not only topped the timesheets during pre-season testing in Bahrain, but also celebrated a milestone away from racing. Leclerc married his long-term partner, Alexandra Saint Mleux, in a lavish civil ceremony in Monaco. The couple were later seen driving through Monte Carlo in a stunning Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, underlining the fairy-tale atmosphere surrounding their big day.
The newlyweds eventually shared intimate moments from their ceremony on social media, with three posts between them amassing an extraordinary 17.6 million likes. The response highlighted Leclerc’s global popularity, cementing his status as one of the most followed and admired drivers on the grid.
However, that adoration appeared to cross a line in Melbourne this week.
A video circulating widely on social media platform X shows Leclerc attempting to enter a hotel in the city centre, only to be swarmed by dozens of fans gathered outside. The footage captures chaotic scenes as supporters crowd around the revolving doors, phones raised, desperately attempting to snap photos or secure autographs.
Alarmingly, Leclerc appeared to be without visible security at the time. As the crowd pressed in from both sides of the entrance, the Ferrari driver was seen sprinting through the lobby in an effort to escape the commotion. Several fans then followed him inside, continuing the pursuit.
The video has triggered a wave of concern online, with many questioning how such a situation was allowed to unfold.
One fan wrote: “Jesus, this is crazy? Why is there no security with him? He is legit trying to run away and they don’t get the memo.” Another added: “Yeah that’s wild. I know people want pictures and autographs but the fandom is getting out of hand.”
Others turned their frustration toward the venue itself. “I’m so confused why the lobby isn’t closed for people who aren’t staying there,” one comment read. “Drivers shouldn’t be getting mobbed trying to get to their room.” Another supporter bluntly stated: “People have no shame why are they chasing after him like that?”
The incident has reignited debate around driver safety and crowd control at Formula 1 events. With the sport enjoying a surge in global popularity over recent seasons, largely fuelled by expanding markets and increased digital engagement, drivers are encountering unprecedented levels of public attention wherever they travel.
Leclerc, in particular, has long been one of the championship’s most marketable stars. Since joining Ferrari in 2019, he has become the face of the Italian team’s new generation. His combination of raw speed, emotional transparency and loyalty to Ferrari has endeared him to millions.
Yet the Melbourne scenes serve as a stark reminder that the line between admiration and intrusion can blur quickly. While autograph sessions and fan interactions are part of the sport’s appeal, unsupervised crowd surges pose genuine safety risks not only for drivers but also for the fans themselves.
Formula 1 teams typically employ security staff during official events and at the paddock, but public spaces such as hotels can present logistical challenges. It remains unclear whether Ferrari or event organisers will address the incident publicly, though it is likely security measures will be reviewed as race weekend approaches.
Despite the unsettling episode, Leclerc is expected to remain focused on the task at hand. Ferrari head into the Australian Grand Prix determined to begin the season strongly, and Leclerc’s pace in testing suggests he could be a serious contender under the Melbourne lights.
For now, however, much of the conversation has shifted away from lap times and toward personal safety. As one fan succinctly put it online: “Support your favourite driver but don’t put them in danger.”
The images from Melbourne may have been born out of excitement and admiration, but they have left many in the F1 community hoping that tighter precautions are implemented to ensure that passion for the sport never compromises the wellbeing of its stars.
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