Charles Leclerc finally got his dream win at Monaco in 2024, capping off what he calls a “very solid” season that saw him finish third in the championship standings.
“I’ve always grown up dreaming of being a Formula One driver and racing in Monaco,” Leclerc said. “Once you’re in Formula One, you only dream about winning it.”
The victory was extra sweet after coming so close in previous years but never quite sealing the deal at his home race.
While he wasn’t in the title fight with Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, Leclerc’s season was packed with exciting wheel-to-wheel battles – something he really loves about racing.
“It’s always exciting when you have to adapt to different drivers,” he said. “When there’s a lot at stake, you can take more risks, and that’s what I enjoy the most.”
He pointed to his battle with Oscar Piastri in Qatar as a perfect example, where he took some calculated risks knowing how important the points were for Ferrari.
Ferrari’s car wasn’t quite where they wanted it to be in the first half of 2024. But things picked up in the second half when they were regularly matching McLaren and Red Bull’s pace.
What makes Leclerc particularly proud? Not having any “what if” moments this year.
“In other years, there were always one or two races where I tried things that weren’t possible, and it would cost me points,” he explained. “This year, I don’t think I’ve left any opportunities behind.”
The Monegasque driver helped Ferrari secure second place in the constructors’ championship – not quite the title they were hoping for, but still a strong showing from the Italian team.
His Monaco victory stands out as the clear highlight of 2024. Starting from pole position and holding off Piastri for the win, Leclerc finally conquered the streets where he grew up racing.
