F1 DISASTER: My Family!! & I Had Tears in My Eyes – Charles Leclerc Says Emotional M… Read more
I Had Tears in My Eyes – Charles Leclerc Says Emotional Monaco Win Left Him Overwhelmed
Charles Leclerc admitted that the closing laps of the Monaco Grand Prix were among the most emotional moments of his career, as he struggled to hold back tears while guiding his Ferrari to victory on the historic streets of Monte Carlo. The 26-year-old became the first Monegasque driver in almost a century to win Formula One’s most prestigious race, a feat that carried deep personal meaning for him.
Leclerc, who had twice started from pole position at his home Grand Prix only to see those opportunities slip away, finally achieved the dream he had carried since childhood. In the final stages of the race, however, he confessed his vision was blurred because of tears streaming inside his helmet.
“I struggled to keep my emotions under control in the last 10 laps,” Leclerc said afterwards. “With two laps to go, I realised I could barely see through the tunnel because I had tears in my eyes. I was telling myself, ‘Charles, not now, you still need to finish the race.’ It was tough to manage those feelings and the thoughts of everyone who helped me get here.”
Among those foremost in his mind was his late father, Hervé Leclerc, who passed away in 2017. Leclerc openly paid tribute to him, acknowledging how much the win symbolised for both of them. “I was thinking about my dad when I was driving,” he explained. “He gave absolutely everything so I could have this career. It was always our dream for me to compete here, and to actually win in Monaco feels unbelievable.”
Although Leclerc was quick to remind himself that the victory was worth the same 25 points as any other in the championship, he admitted this one held a far deeper emotional weight. “In terms of the standings, it’s just another win. But for me personally, and for what it represents, it means so much more.”
For years, many fans believed the local star was under some kind of “Monaco curse.” In 2021, after clinching pole, he crashed into the barriers in qualifying and was unable to start the race. A year later, Ferrari’s strategic misjudgement left him only fourth despite again looking strong. Before this season, he had never even finished on the podium at his home event.
Leclerc, however, dismissed the idea of a curse, insisting the setbacks were simply part of racing. “I never really believed in that. Of course, it was painful – once I couldn’t start, and the other time the strategy wasn’t right. It was frustrating to lose those chances, and you never know when the next opportunity will come. And in Monaco, a track where everything has to be perfect, opportunities are rare.”
This time, though, the stars aligned. Leclerc drove a flawless race, managing the pressure of expectation and the intensity of the narrow circuit to finally take the chequered flag in front of his home crowd. “Today was another opportunity, and I knew I had to take it. There was a lot of tension, but the moment I put my helmet on, I felt nothing except focus,” he said.
The win also carried important implications for the championship battle. Leclerc reduced Max Verstappen’s lead from 48 to 31 points, earning his first victory since the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix. Verstappen, meanwhile, has won only once in the past three races, suggesting the title fight could be tightening.
Leclerc was keen to savour the moment alongside his Ferrari team. “Tonight, I know exactly what I will do with the mechanics and engineers – I cannot wait to celebrate. It is one of the most special moments of my career, and we have to enjoy it. Tomorrow, we will think about Canada, but for now, this win means everything.”
For Leclerc, the Monaco triumph was not just a sporting achievement but the fulfilment of a lifelong dream – one shared with his father, his family, and the thousands of Monegasque fans who celebrated history being made on their streets.
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