BREAKING NEWS: Charles Leclerc’s Monaco curse returns with Ferrari….read more
Charles Leclerc’s Monaco curse returns with Ferrari….read more
Charles Leclerc, fresh from his Italian Grand Prix victory at Monza, encountered a minor mishap in Monaco. On Thursday, the Ferrari driver was spotted tapping the back of another vehicle while driving his Ferrari Purosangue through the streets of Monte Carlo, rekindling talk of his so-called “Monaco curse.”
The incident took place at Monaco’s famous hairpin, a landmark well known to Formula 1 fans. A video posted on TikTok by user CameronCamasi captured the moment when Leclerc, maneuvering his Ferrari Purosangue, bumped into the car in front of him. The footage showed the Monegasque driver and his passenger reacting to the incident, with Leclerc leaning forward to assess the situation.
Despite the loud crunching noise in the video, Leclerc didn’t exit his vehicle to inspect the damage. Instead, he raised his hand in apology to the driver of the van in front of him and continued driving up the hill. Fortunately, Leclerc’s Purosangue appeared largely unscathed from the fender bender. The silver SUV, finished in Argento Nurburgring, seemed to have suffered no serious damage in the incident.
The Ferrari Purosangue, a luxurious four-door SUV valued at approximately $400,000, is one of the latest additions to Leclerc’s collection. Powered by a 715bhp 6.5-litre V12 engine, the car can accelerate from 0-60mph in just 3.3 seconds, making it an impressive machine on both city streets and highways. Leclerc had driven this very car to Monza the previous weekend, where he achieved a stunning victory using a one-stop strategy. It seems, however, that the immense power and size of the SUV may have caught him off guard in Monaco’s tight traffic conditions.
While this incident may be considered a minor blip, it inevitably draws attention to Leclerc’s turbulent history in his hometown. Over the years, the streets of Monaco have not always been kind to the Ferrari driver, earning him the reputation of being “cursed” at his home Grand Prix.
One of the most memorable low points came during the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix, where Leclerc secured pole position but was forced to retire before the race even began. The retirement was the result of damage to his driveshaft caused by a crash at the end of the previous day’s qualifying session. The disappointment was palpable for Leclerc, who had been eager to win in front of his home crowd.
Another frustrating outing occurred during the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix. Leclerc once again started from pole position, only to be let down by a strategic error from Ferrari. The team’s poor decision-making relegated him to a fourth-place finish, a result that did not reflect his strong performance in qualifying.
In an even more ironic twist of fate, just a week before the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix, Leclerc participated in the Monaco Historic Grand Prix. During the event, he was behind the wheel of a legendary Ferrari 312 B3, a car driven by the great Niki Lauda in 1974. Unfortunately, Leclerc lost control of the car and crashed, further adding to the narrative of his Monaco misfortune.
However, 2023 seemed to signal a change in Leclerc’s fortunes. He performed brilliantly during this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, breaking free from the grip of his so-called curse to deliver a dominant showing. Though he did not win, his strong performance suggested that he had finally put his Monaco demons behind him.
Despite this recent success, the Thursday fender bender serves as a reminder that Monaco continues to be a tricky place for Leclerc. Yet, the incident will likely be seen as nothing more than a minor hiccup in an otherwise stellar season. With his focus now firmly on the upcoming races, Leclerc will be eager to build on his Monza triumph and continue his strong form in the remaining rounds of the Formula 1 season.
For now, it appears that Leclerc’s beloved hometown will continue to present its share of challenges, both on and off the track.
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