Charles Leclerc Achieves the ‘Ultimate Dream’ in Monaco
There truly is no place like home for Charles Leclerc.
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Leclerc's journey to victory was a testament to his childhood dreams. From the balconies of his friends' apartments, he would watch Formula One races, envisioning a day when he would triumph on that very track. That day came in May 2024, at the Monaco Grand Prix. The 26-year-old F1 driver, born and raised in Monaco, clinched his first race from pole position in a Ferrari car. This victory was not just a win, but a homecoming, a fulfillment of his ultimate dream.
In a poignant display of his emotional journey, Leclerc shared that his feelings threatened to overwhelm him as tears welled up in his eyes for the final two laps. The challenging track of Monaco, notorious for its overtaking complications, demanded his utmost focus. He had to contain his emotions until the very end.
This was his year after attempts to win in 2021 and 2022 from pole position. After impressive practice sessions where he set a lap of one minute 11.5 seconds on medium tires, he thoroughly deserved the win and came miles ahead of his competition.
Leclerc felt that he was honoring his last father, making the victory extra special for him.
“My father has done absolutely everything for me to get to where I am today…I felt like I not only completed my own dream but also the one of my father. And of my mother, who has sustained in me everything I have done since then and who has been an incredibly strong woman when we all lost my dad”
His family, close friends, and influencer girlfriend, Alexandra Saint Mleux, attended the race. The two were first spotted together in early 2023, and she was also visibly in tears of happiness at the end of the race.
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Even though they generally keep a low profile, they have been spotted together at the Wimbledon Championships and NBA games. She is evidently one of his most devoted supporters.
Hopefully, this is the beginning of many more emotional victories for Leclerc!