For the first time since his victory in Monaco, Charles Leclerc crossed the finish line first. His triumph at Monza, Ferrari’s home race, holds a unique kind of special significance for the Monegasque. However, Leclerc has some less than thrilling news for the tifosi: he doesn’t believe Ferrari has definitively closed the gap with McLaren and Red Bull.
Leclerc secured his win at Ferrari’s home race in Monza, partly due to a daring one-stop strategy. Prior to the weekend, Scuderia was not high on the list of potential winners, and even the Monegasque didn’t fully anticipate his victory. Therefore, Leclerc doesn’t expect Ferrari to quickly repeat this feat. “Before this race, I didn’t see myself competing for the win anywhere else,” Leclerc candidly admits in the post-race press conference. “Maybe Singapore, but on other circuits, we’re still lagging behind McLaren and Red Bull.”
Boosted Confidence After Victory at the ‘Temple of Speed’
The triumph at the Temple of Speed has certainly boosted the confidence of the Ferrari driver. “Today showed that we can compete at the same level as McLaren,” says the Monegasque, who quickly tempers the enthusiasm of the tifosi, cautioning them not to expect multiple Ferrari victories. “As for the other circuits, I’m not yet certain we can close the gap. We’ve made strides forward, but I believe we need to make even more.”
‘What Makes Winning in Monza Special’
Leclerc’s second victory of 2024 taking place in Monza holds significant meaning for the Ferrari driver. However, the race in Monza did not add extra pressure for the Monegasque. “As drivers, we are accustomed to the pressure, but it was more for the entire team,” explains Leclerc. “Many team members have a family member or friend in the stands, and that adds an extra layer. It’s a lot, but that’s what makes winning in Monza so special.”
