Leclerc cannot contain his emotions after victory in Monaco: 'No words!'
F1 News
Charles Leclerc broke down in tears when trying to explain his emotions following his victory in the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver was born and raised in Monte Carlo, and winning the race had been a dream of his since childhood. After many failed attempts, Leclerc finally managed to win, and he was full of emotion.
Leclerc started from pole position and survived two standing starts due to the red flag stoppage. He then had to take one set of tyres for almost the entire Grand Prix distance. Leclerc tried to summarise his feelings straight after the race.
Leclerc breaks down in tears
"No words can explain that. It's such a difficult race. I started on pole twice [in previous years] and we couldn't quite make it. That makes it even better. It's the race that made me dream of becoming a driver one day," Leclerc said.
It was seemingly a game of strategic chess between McLaren and Ferrari. A question of who would blink first if they decided they couldn't get the tyres to the chequered flag. Leclerc admitted he was nervous that something would go wrong in the closing stages.
"15 laps to the end, you're hoping nothing happens. Emotions were coming. I was thinking about my dad while driving, he has given everything for me to be here. It was our dream to race and win here. It's unbelievable. We had 78 laps to do on the same set of tyres which was very, very difficult. We managed them well. There was a part we had to manage the gap with George, then I could push towards the end. Thank you to the team," Leclerc said.
Leclerc stays behind Max Verstappen in the World Championship, but the man from Monaco has closed the gap. The same is the case in the Constructors Championship, as Red Bull only has a 24-point gap to Red Bull Racing.