Charles Leclerc Shatters 83-Year Curse with Historic Victory in Monaco: All the Jaw-Dropping Stats You Need to Know
It was a day that will be etched in the annals of Formula 1 history. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari's prodigious talent, finally conquered his home turf in a gripping Monaco Grand Prix. Coming from a lineage rooted deeply in the principality, Leclerc became the first Monegasque driver to clinch victory in Monaco since the legendary Louis Chiron in 1931.
The Tryst with Destiny
This historic win wasn’t just a triumph of skill but also a breaking of a daunting 83-year jinx. Local fans were euphoric as they flooded the streets of Monte Carlo to celebrate their hometown hero. Leclerc’s victory was a symphony of skill, precision, and unyielding determination.
Statistical Milestones
Grid Order Finish: The top 10 drivers finished in their grid order, a first in Formula 1's illustrious history. The previous record was the top six finishing in grid order—a feat achieved thrice before in Monaco 2018, Singapore 2018, and Belgium 2021.
Historical Win: Leclerc’s victory broke an 83-year-old dry spell for Monegasque drivers. His last win before this was at the Austrian Grand Prix in 2022, ending a 39-race winless streak.
Consistent Performance: Leclerc has been on a roll this season, securing his fifth podium finish in just eight races. Contrast this with his performance in 2023, where he managed only four podium finishes in 20 races.
Podium and Beyond
Sharing the podium with Leclerc was McLaren’s bright young star Oscar Piastri and Ferrari’s consistent performer Carlos Sainz. Piastri matched his career-best Grand Prix finish from Qatar 2023 and achieved McLaren’s best result in Monaco since Lewis Hamilton’s win in 2008.
Carlos Sainz, finishing with a well-earned third, hasn’t placed outside the top five all season. His performance solidifies Ferrari’s strong start to the year. Meanwhile, Lando Norris in fourth broke his streak of three consecutive podium finishes but moved ahead of Sergio Perez to claim third in the drivers’ championship.
Midfield Marvels
George Russell gave Mercedes something to cheer about with his fifth-place finish, equaling their best result of the season. Max Verstappen ended his race in P6, marking his lowest finish since the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Surprisingly, it was the first time since 2007 that neither Red Bull finished in the top five in Monaco.
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Further down the grid, Lewis Hamilton, a perennial top-eight finisher in Monaco, continued his consistent run. Yuki Tsunoda scored his first-ever points in Monaco, and Alex Albon broke the points drought for Williams in 2024, leaving Kick Sauber as the only team yet to score this season.
A Weekend of Highs and Lows
Pierre Gasly managed to score despite a collision with his teammate on the opening lap. In contrast, Fernando Alonso’s struggle continued, making it two consecutive races out of the points after a strong start to the season. Nico Hulkenberg’s misfortune saw him retire on the opening lap for the 12th time in his career.
With such a thrilling Monaco Grand Prix behind us, the spotlight now shifts to the Canadian Grand Prix, where drivers will aim to build on their momentum or turn their fortunes around. Stay tuned as the season unfolds in what promises to be one of the most competitive years in recent history.