Precocious and prodigiously talented, Charles Leclerc entered the world of Formula 1 at just 21 years old..
A Racing Heritage
In May 2024, he secured a historic victory at the Monaco Grand Prix, becoming the first Monegasque driver to win his home race in the modern F1 era
Since the inception of the Monte Carlo Rally in 1911 and the Monaco Grand Prix in 1929, the Principality has been synonymous with motorsport. Generations of drivers have navigated the tight, winding streets of the famed circuit, each dreaming of victory. In 2024, nearly a century after Louis Chiron’s triumph in 1931, Leclerc turned that dream into reality.
Raised in Monaco, Leclerc grew up immersed in the world of Formula 1, watching the city transform each year into a high-speed battleground. As a child, he stood behind the safety barriers, envisioning his own path through the challenging corners of the Monegasque track. Like many greats before him, he honed his skills in karting, before ascending through Formula Renault 2.0, Formula 3, and ultimately clinching titles in the GP3 Series (2016) and Formula 2 (2017) before his 20th birthday.
Rising Through the Ranks
In 2018, Leclerc made his Formula 1 debut with Alfa Romeo Sauber, becoming only the third Monegasque driver in F1 history, following Louis Chiron and Olivier Beretta. His rookie season saw him finish 13th overall, a promising performance that earned him a coveted seat at Scuderia Ferrari in 2019.
Leclerc wasted no time rewriting the record books. That season, he became the first Monegasque driver to secure pole position, lead a race, and set a fastest lap. His podium finish in Bahrain made him only the second driver from Monaco to reach an F1 podium, a feat last achieved by Chiron in 1950. Later that year, at just 21, he clinched his first F1 victory at the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa, becoming the youngest driver to win for Ferrari and the third-youngest race winner in Formula 1 history, behind Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel.
Triumph and Tragedy
Leclerc’s journey has been shaped not only by triumphs but also by personal loss. A close friend and protégé of Jules Bianchi, the promising French F1 driver who suffered a fatal crash at the Japanese Grand Prix in 2014, Leclerc lost both a mentor and a role model. Three years later, his father, Hervé Leclerc—a former Formula 3 driver—passed away. These two figures played pivotal roles in his development, fueling his determination to succeed at the highest level.
A Dream Realized
In 2024, Leclerc achieved the victory that had eluded him for years—his first win at the Monaco Grand Prix. Starting from pole position, he controlled the race and crossed the finish line ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz. Overcome with emotion, he dedicated the victory to his late father.
Prince Albert II, visibly moved, called the victory “historic.” “We had been hoping for so long that a Monegasque driver would win in Monaco,” he said.
Looking Ahead
Leclerc’s success did not stop in Monaco. In 2024, he also claimed victories at the Italian and American Grands Prix, further cementing his status as one of the sport’s elite drivers. In 2025, Ferrari is betting on its powerhouse pairing—Leclerc alongside seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton—as the Scuderia aims to reclaim its dominance in Formula 1.