The three triumphs that earned Leclerc cult status among Ferrari fans

Leclerc's maiden Ferrari victory came at the end of an emotional and deeply poignant weekend at Spa-Francorchamps. After storming to pole position and leading a Ferrari front-row lockout alongside Vettel, the celebrations were overshadowed by the tragic death of his close friend Anthoine Hubert during the Formula 2 feature race on Saturday.

Despite the heartbreak, Leclerc delivered a flawless performance on Sunday. He held onto the lead at the start and controlled the race from the front, while Ferrari's strategy played a crucial role in keeping Mercedes at bay. Vettel helped delay Hamilton during the middle stint, allowing Leclerc to build the gap he would later need.

That advantage proved decisive. As the race entered its closing stages, Hamilton began to close in at an alarming rate, turning the final laps into a tense battle of nerves. With the Mercedes filling his mirrors and the pressure mounting, Leclerc kept his composure, avoided any mistakes and held on to cross the line first. It was a landmark moment in his career: his maiden Formula 1 victory, Ferrari's first win of the season, and an emotional triumph dedicated to the memory of Hubert.

Monza has always been a special place for Ferrari drivers, but in 2019 it became the stage for one of the most memorable victories of Leclerc's career. Fresh from his maiden Formula 1 win at Spa, the Monegasque arrived at Ferrari's home race carrying the hopes of an entire fanbase eager to see the Scuderia return to winning ways in front of the tifosi.

Leclerc immediately showed he was up to the task. He was among the fastest drivers throughout the weekend and eventually secured pole position, putting himself in the perfect position for Sunday's race. A strong start allowed him to keep the lead, but what followed was far from straightforward.

For much of the afternoon, the Ferrari driver found himself under relentless pressure from the Mercedes pair. Hamilton was the first to launch a sustained challenge, staying within striking distance and forcing Leclerc to defend lap after lap. The battle between the two became increasingly intense, with neither driver willing to give an inch as the fight for victory reached its peak.

When Hamilton dropped behind after a mistake, Bottas took over the pursuit. The Finn steadily closed the gap in the closing stages, ensuring Leclerc had no opportunity to relax. Leclerc passed every test. Remaining calm despite the enormous expectations resting on his shoulders, he produced a composed and mature drive to keep both Mercedes behind until the chequered flag. Ferrari had finally ended a nine-year wait for success at its home circuit, while Leclerc became the first driver since Fernando Alonso in 2010 to deliver a home win for the Scuderia.

For years, Monaco had been the one race that seemed determined to deny Leclerc his moment of glory. No matter how strong the performances, something always went wrong. A retirement in 2019, heartbreak in 2021 after taking a stunning pole position only to be ruled out before the start due to damage sustained in qualifying, and a strategy disaster in 2022 that turned a likely victory into a finish off the podium. Even in 2023, another disappointing result left the home favourite still searching for redemption on the streets where he grew up.

Everything finally changed in 2024. From the moment the weekend began, Leclerc looked completely at one with both the circuit and his Ferrari. His performance in qualifying was among the finest of his career, securing pole position and putting himself in prime position to end years of frustration.

Sunday, however, still had the potential to bring fresh heartbreak. A major crash involving Perez, Magnussen and Hülkenberg on the opening lap immediately triggered a red flag, forcing the field back into the pits and leaving Leclerc with even more time to think about the opportunity that lay in front of him. When the race resumed, the Ferrari driver showed no signs of nerves. He controlled proceedings from the front, managed the pace perfectly and never allowed those behind to mount a serious challenge. Lap after lap, he kept everything under control, inching closer to a result that had eluded him for so long.

As he crossed the finish line, the emotion was impossible to hide. Leclerc had finally conquered his home Grand Prix, ending one of Formula 1's most talked-about curses. In doing so, he secured Ferrari's first Monaco victory since 2017 and became the first Monegasque driver ever to win the Monaco Grand Prix.

Reacting to news of his contract extension, the Monegasque driver shared a lengthy message addressed to both the fans and the team. One of the key themes of his statement was his determination to keep pursuing the dream that has driven him throughout his Ferrari career: winning a world championship with the Scuderia. Leclerc stressed how much Ferrari's values still mean to him in modern Formula 1 and described representing the iconic Italian team as both a privilege and a responsibility. He also reaffirmed his commitment to giving everything he has to help return Ferrari to the top of the sport.