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Charles Leclerc dedicates first victory to friend Anthoine Hubert

Charles Leclerc dedicates first victory to friend Anthoine Hubert

01-09-2019 15:50

Charles Leclerc has dedicated his first ever F1 victory to his friend Anthoine Hubert after the Frenchman was tragically killed in a Formula 2 crash on Saturday.

Leclerc had performed admirably all weekend and deserved to take the win after he just managed to hold on to the win from the charging Lewis Hamilton.

Leclerc led from the start but was passed in the pits by teammate Sebastian Vettel. However, the German's tyres were worn, so the Monegasque was let through into the lead, and he managed to hold on ahead of Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.

Leclerc told David Coulthard after the race: "On the one hand, I have a dream since I was a child that has been realised, and on the other hand, it has been a very difficult weekend since yesterday.

"We have lost a friend first of all, and it's very difficult in these situations so I would like to dedicate this win to him. 

"We have grown up together and my first ever race I did when I was seven with Anthoine, so it's such a shame what happened yesterday. 

"I can't fully enjoy my first victory but it is a memory that will live with me forever."