Leclerc: In Monaco it is important to assess risks correctly

Charles Leclerc is the only one in modern Formula 1 for whom the Monaco circuit is home in every respect. The Ferrari driver dreams of winning the upcoming Grand Prix, but to do so he must first perform as well as possible in qualifying.

Charles Leclerc: “I’m in a good mood – obviously all drivers have a special attitude towards this stage of the season, and for me even more so because I was born and raised here. Our team has always performed quite competitively here – I hope it will be the same this time. But I was never able to get the results I wanted in this race, so now we have made great efforts to prepare as best as possible for the Monaco Grand Prix.

But the podium no longer suits me, we have to aim for victory, because in the previous stages we saw that there is an intense rivalry in qualifying between Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull, and we know how important the qualifying result is in Monaco.

We have to try to get everything together, and if we manage to get pole position, then we have a good chance of achieving what we want, which is to get a win. In Monaco, however, you always have to start the weekend almost all over again, although I predict that the balance of forces will not differ much from those in the previous stages, but there could be some surprises.

I remember 2021 because we had difficulties at the beginning of that season, but it was in Monaco that the car performed well, so after Friday’s training we will see how we look compared to the others. But I will be surprised if we cannot participate in the battle for pole.

In Monaco it is more important than at other circuits to be able to properly assess risks. If a rider feels he can take more risks, he will either show a good result or fail thanks to this approach. But that’s why I enjoy competing on this track so much.

As soon as you manage to push the limit of what is possible even a little bit, it immediately affects your lap time. Of course, at the end of qualifying you start flying close to the barriers, and that’s a real pleasure! This season I don’t experience anything like that at other circuits.”

Charles also shared the special experiences he lived during the days of this Grand Prix on the streets of his hometown: “Yesterday I was in the center of Monaco at a meeting with fans and I saw people with whom I studied at the same school. They took pictures with me, although 10-15 years ago I was the same as everyone else, and no one expected the changes that happened later.

In general, it is funny and strange in its own way that people’s perception has changed so much, because in the end I have remained the same, although of course now I occupy a completely different position compared to that time. But for my family and friends I remain the same, and that is very important. The people around me help me not to lose touch with reality.”