Charles Leclerc Sends Emotional Message to Fans After Italian Grand Prix Win

Alex Harrington | Sep 1, 2024

Charles Leclerc wins the Italian Grand Prix. / Ferrari

Charles Leclerc's triumph at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix was not just a victory for Ferrari; it was a heartfelt moment of connection with his fans. Leclerc, who secured the win in a dramatic race at Monza, shared an emotional message that reflected both his joy and profound gratitude.

"It is an incredible feeling," said Leclerc, his voice charged with emotion.

The Ferrari driver compared the experience to his previous win at Monza in 2019.

"I thought the second time, if there was a second time, would not feel as special as the first, but the emotions over the last few laps were the same as 2019 [when I first won the Italian Grand Prix]."

His message resonated with fans worldwide, as he expressed his determination to win both Monza and Monaco annually: "I want to win Monza and Monaco every year and I have managed to do so. It is so, so special."

The race unfolded with a complex interplay of strategies and moments of drama from the onset, creating a brilliant race. Starting from pole position, McLaren's Lando Norris led the charge, fiercely defending against his teammate Oscar Piastri. The first lap set the stage for a dramatic race when George Russell, seeking to stave off the Australian, went off-track, causing damage to his front wing and dropping positions. With Piastri then launching an attack on his teammate, this skirmish allowed Leclerc to seize the opportunity and move up to second place with the McLarens split and Piastri leading.

The race was marred by several penalties and collisions, adding layers of unpredictability. Daniel Ricciardo received a 5-second penalty for contact with Nico Hulkenberg, compounded by a further 10-second penalty for failing to serve it correctly. Hulkenberg, on his part, was penalized for a collision with Yuki Tsunoda, who later retired from the race due to sustained damage.

Pit stop strategies played a critical role in shaping the final outcomes. Early in the race, George Russell made a pit stop for hard tires and a new front wing. This was followed by a series of pit stops involving key players like Norris, Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, and Piastri between laps 15 and 17. This shuffled the race order significantly, influencing the tactical decisions that followed.

In the latter half of the race, tire degradation became a critical factor. As Norris struggled with tire wear, Ferrari adjusted their strategy accordingly. The battle for positions intensified. Ultimately, Leclerc's composed driving and the brilliant strategy from the Scuderia saw him taking the lead, with Piastri and Norris trailing.

Despite the victory, Leclerc acknowledged the challenges ahead.

"I don't know," he admitted when pondering the consistency of Ferrari's performance for the remainder of the season.

"Our package was working well on a track like Monza but whether it will be the same for the rest of the season I doubt.

"I still think McLaren are favourites but we have done a step forwards, that's for sure," he noted. Looking ahead, Leclerc expressed hope for future races, particularly the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix. "Baku is a pretty nice track for me, so maybe we can achieve something special there."

Ferrari has demonstrated a potential resurgence, and McLaren's strong performance solidified their place in the pecking order, while Red Bull is clearly struggling with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez finishing P6 and P8 respectively.

2024 Italian Grand Prix Results

1. Charles Leclerc
2. Oscar Piastri
3. Lando Norris - Fastest Lap
4. Carlos Sainz
5. Lewis Hamilton
6. Max Verstappen
7. George Russell
8. Sergio Perez
9. Alex Albon
10. Kevin Magnussen
11. Fernando Alonso
12. Franco Colapinto
13. Daniel Ricciardo
14. Esteban Ocon
15. Pierre Gasly
16. Valtteri Bottas
17. Nico Hulkenberg
18. Zhou Guanyu
19. Lance Stroll
20. Yuki Tsunoda - DNF