Ferrari F1 sweetheart says special win 'best moment' of his life
Ferrari F1 sweetheart says special win 'best moment' of his life
Charles Leclerc holds dear one prized memory in Formula 1 above any other - and it was all documented in F1 fans' favourite documentary series.
It’s Drive to Survive release month - which means that here at GPFans, we’re taking a look back at some of the most significant storylines throughout the show’s history.
Five seasons of chaos and we’re sure to get even more of it when the sixth instalment premieres on 23 February - the last day of Formula 1’s 2024 pre-season test in Bahrain.
Ahead of the latest season, we've taken a look at what proved to be a pivotal moment during the breathtaking docuseries.
Charles Leclerc has been with the Ferrari team for five years now – making us all feel a bit old.
The Monegasque driver has been through plenty of ups and downs so far, taking a whopping 23 pole positions and five victories, but also crashing out at less than ideal times on occasion during race weekends.
The one that likely frustrates him most to this day, is a late crash in qualifying for his home Monaco Grand Prix in 2021, which cost him the chance to line up from pole position on Sunday after a mechanical failure induced by his accident.
READ MORE: Ferrari F1 car launch 2024: When is it and how to watch live
One of F1's fastest ever drivers
As his record suggests, he’s one of the most spectacular qualifiers across the course of one lap that the sport has ever seen.
He hasn’t had the easiest of team-mates either, having to pair up with Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz at Ferrari.
Casting our eyes back to 2019, Leclerc’s debut season with the Scuderia – he enjoyed some mid-season success at high-speed circuits where his car’s engine was better suited.
One day after tragically losing close friend Anthoine Hubert, he won his first Formula 1 race in Spa with muted celebrations in memory of the young Frenchman’s life.
A week later, he arrived at Monza for his first Italian Grand Prix with Ferrari and he more than showed up – acing Lewis Hamilton and winning a second consecutive race in front of the adoring Tifosi.
READ MORE: Hamilton to Ferrari F1 switch leaves Leclerc 'shocked and disappointed'
Leclerc: Probably the best day of my life
That win is something that to this day, he is still incredibly fond of and enjoys looking back on as he said in season two of Drive to Survive after taking the win.
“Growing up, there was only one team that was counting for me – it was Ferrari,” he said. “Every time I come to a grand prix it feels extremely special. It’s all I’ve dreamt for, really.
“To see so many people [at Monza 2019] was just absolute madness. It was probably the best day of my life.
“The dream is to try and build a long-term relationship with the team. My future dream is to be a world champion with them.”
The Ferrari star signed a new contract with his team this off-season which will see him through to at least 2026 alongside Carlos Sainz this year and Lewis Hamilton from the start of 2025.
With Hamilton showing plenty of faith in the project, it shows that the Scuderia are probably on the right track towards winning.
If Leclerc can continue to replicate his rapid pace, then he has every chance of achieving that dream of winning a world championship with Ferrari.
READ MORE: Contract loophole for F1 star allows him to LEAVE new contract early
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 boss 'in early talks' to SELL 25 percent of team
- 46 minutes ago
Will F1 hopeful Antonelli replace Sargeant from Imola?
- 1 hour ago
F1 News Today: Hamilton dealt major Newey blow as Red Bull chief makes BRUTAL admission
- 2 hours ago
Schumacher reveals how Mercedes could snare Verstappen
- 3 hours ago
Red Bull chief in BRUTAL putdown of key F1 feature
- 3 hours ago
Cullen relationship blossoms with new star after moving on from Hamilton
- Today 09:59
Related news
F1 champion DOUBTS passion of new fans
Horner pinpoints Ricciardo's post-Red Bull F1 DOWNFALL
Lando Norris' Fiat 500s: A look at the F1 star's classic cars and Drive to Survive debut
Ricciardo discusses F1 heartbreak after DRAMATIC exit
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860