Curse? What Monaco curse?
Formula 1 press conference host Tom Clarkson noticed a positive shift in Monaco Grand Prix race winner Charles Leclerc, as he took everything from the Harry Potter banter to the “media hounding” in his stride.
Leclerc was seen as a leading contender for the win going into his home race, the Monaco Grand Prix, though the infamous ‘Monaco curse’ that appeared to hang over the home hero around the streets of Monte Carlo was a spectre that needed to be banished. And it was.
‘Something different’ about Charles Leclerc at 2024 Monaco GP
Leclerc successfully checked off step one as he secured his third F1 career pole position on the streets of Monte Carlo. However, the significant achievement was turning it into his highly anticipated victory, marking his first win of the F1 2024 season.
Even prior to the commencement of the on-track activities, Clarkson observed a distinct demeanor in Leclerc. Despite the drivers laughing at his admission of resembling Harry Potter in his youth, Leclerc remained unaffected, solidifying his position as a devoted fan and handling the intense media scrutiny with ease.
Clarkson expressed on the F1 Nation podcast that he sensed a notable change in him over the weekend.
During the press conference on Thursday, there was actually a small amount of chaos. The other drivers were teasing him about his fondness for Harry Potter and how, when he was younger, he resembled the character.
However, he handled the situation with incredible composure, allowing everyone to laugh at him. Yet, amidst it all, I sensed a certain quality about him. Everywhere he goes, he seems to be pursued by the media, especially the local media. I can only imagine the countless signatures he has given and the numerous selfies he has taken this weekend, yet he remains unfazed by it all.
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Leclerc’s perspective on the ‘Monaco curse’ was similar, as he expressed disbelief in it after securing the win.
Leclerc responded to the media, including PlanetF1.com, stating that he had never believed in the curse.
Yet, both times I attempted to secure victory here, I encountered considerable challenges. In the first instance [2021], I was unable to even commence the race. The second time around [2022], I believe we made an incorrect decision, resulting in an immensely frustrating loss of those potential wins.
As a driver, the uncertainty of when the next chance to win will come is always present. This feeling intensifies when it’s your home race, particularly in Monaco. Monaco is a unique and challenging track, and the weekend demands flawless execution. Fortunately, we were able to conquer these challenges and achieve perfection.
I was aware that today presented another chance, and I recalled the sensations I experienced during my previous encounters in this situation. However, my desire for a victory today was undeniable, resulting in a slight tension.
However, as I’ve mentioned before, once I don the helmet and settle into the car, I become completely detached from any physical sensations. My focus shifts entirely to extracting the maximum potential from the vehicle, taking into account tire management and strategizing to ensure the most optimal race performance.
“It’s mainly about the moments leading up to the race and prior to donning the helmet.”
Leclerc is now only 31 points behind Drivers’ Championship leader Max Verstappen.
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