Leclerc becomes second F1 driver to be robbed of prized watch

Charles Leclerc has become the second F1 driver to be robbed of a prized watch in the past nine months, according to reports in Italy.

Leclerc was with friends in the seaside resort of Viareggio on Easter Monday when he was approached by a group of fans seeking photos and autographs.

It was while posing for a photograph that a man stole Leclerc's Richard Mille watch, worth an estimated £250,000.

Amongst the group of friends was Leclerc's personal trainer Andrea Ferrari who made reference to the theft in a post on Instagram, notably given the incident took place on a notoriously dark street in Viareggio.

Ferrari wrote: "Via Salvatori has been completely in the dark for months. We have been reporting this for months.

"Well, yesterday evening in Via Salvatori we were robbed. Think about arranging the streetlights sooner or later? Asking for a friend", and with the link @comunediviareggio

The incident is a dampener on Leclerc's stunning start to the new F1 season as the Monégasque has scored two wins and a second in the opening three races to take an early commanding lead in the drivers' standings.

In July last year, McLaren driver Lando Norris was robbed of his Richard Mille watch in a car park near Wembley Stadium following England's Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy.

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