The Monaco Grand Prix is such a big event that for many spectators they are suddenly delighted to discover, when they went early to their coveted places in sight of the track, that there are races within races.
And for Monegasques who are eager to follow the every move of their heroes they had an additional Monegasque to watch at the Grand Prix weekend. It might even have been confusing for the international crowd who were already watching how Charles Leclerc and Ferrari were going to attack his home race.
Because inserted before the main F1 race was the Formula 2 event where they could hear the name of Leclerc. Of course, Monegasques knew that this was Charles’ brother Arthur, aged only 22, who is their hope for another racing star from the Principality. Mind you that is going to be super-confusing especially if Arthur fights his way into Formula 1 and starts racing against Charles. Confusing but ultra-exciting. It was 6 years ago that Charles himself was earning his spurs in Formula 2.
Arthur Leclerc races for the Dams racing team and was starting in the early Monaco featured F2 race at the back of the grid. Why? He had had a serious qualifying crash. After going fourth fastest in a good practice session, Leclerc went into qualifying with the car looking really good.
But a crash into the barriers ensued on the exit of the final corner, before careering across the track into the pit wall. So he had to end his session early and accept 20th position on the grid for both Saturday and Sunday.
He finished 14th in Saturday’s sprint race, having been disadvantaged by the contact between two other drivers at the Nouvelle Chicane which blocked the track and left him no options.
There was an opportunity to do better on Sunday at this first home event for him. It unfortunately however turned into a disappointment because he had to retire a third of the way through on lap 8 due to a brake problem.
Nevertheless, racing in the Principality had to feel special with the massive amount of support. Friends and family were wildly cheering for him. The only regret not to have won for them.
Both he and Charles must desperately want to thrill their fans with a win in Monaco. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has twice claimed pole for the Monaco Grand Prix so the fans do get their fair share of excitement understandably mixed with disappointment when he does not make podium. All the more to savour in the future when the Leclerc brothers score on their home track.
