Leclerc hits 150mph around Monaco streets in movie remake

Charles Leclerc has taken to the streets of Monaco in a Ferrari on the day he should have been competing in this year's Formula 1 grand prix.

Leclerc was starring in a remake of a controversial nine-minute short originally shot in 1976 that took place on the streets of Paris.

But while director Claude Lelouch ignored all the rules of the road on that occasion as a Mercedes 450SL sped its way from Porte Dauphine to Sacre Coeur, Leclerc had the freedom of the streets of Monte Carlo.

To allow Lelouche to recreate those scenes for the movie 'Le Grand Rendez-vous', the roads in the Principality were shut down from between 6.45am to 9am to allow Leclerc to blast around the grand prix circuit in an SF90 Stradale, hitting speeds of 150mph (240kmh).

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco made a brief appearance in the film, while Ferrari chairman John Elkann, along with Princes Andrea Casiraghi and Pierre Casiraghi, accompanied by wife Princess Beatrice Borromeo, also visited the set.

Naturally, certain lockdown measures were observed, with everyone on set wearing face masks.

Ferrari said: "Thanks to a progressive lifting of the lockdown in France and Monaco, the shoot was also watched by a group of excited onlookers from the balconies and the streets carefully supervised by the local authorities.

"Traffic was stopped to allow the SF90 Stradale, which can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 2.5 seconds, unleash its full power on the Principality’s streets.

"The car’s blistering engine soundtrack broke a long dry spell for Prancing Horse enthusiasts and tifosi alike. Most importantly of all, however, the roar of its hybrid V8, generating a total power of 1,000 CV, sent out a message of optimism and signalled a first step towards the return of motorsport, film and social life as we endeavour to put the pandemic behind us through mutually responsible behaviour, commitment and solidarity."

The film is set to make its premiere on June 13.

Describing the experience, Leclerc said: "It was an amazing day, an amazing experience, the car is unbelievable to drive, so much power.

"I was a bit scared of the four-wheel-drive at the beginning, but I have to say I'm just so extremely impressed, it is so fun to drive.

"The rear is always moving quite a lot, but always easy to take back, which is why it makes it fun, especially on a track like this - with no rails, in a city, to push the car is something I never do normally, but today was a great experience and I really, really enjoyed it."

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