Charles Leclerc Snatches Pole on the Same Day as Late Godfather Jules Bianchi’s Decade Old Feat

“I have been waiting for this moment since I was a child,” said 21-year-old Charles Leclerc in 2018 at his first home race in Monaco. In his 6th Monaco GP, the Monegasque has upset Max Verstappen to take his third Pole position in home territory. In doing so, he has incidentally honored his late godfather and former F1 talent, Jules Bianchi’s career legacy.

Leclerc and Bianchi had an enriching bond that transcends F1. If not for a fatal accident at the 2015 Japanese GP, the former Marussia driver was touted as F1 and Ferrari’s next big thing, a legacy that his godson, Leclerc, is now fulfilling. Even today, the Monegasque honors his godfather every chance he gets. From racing in a marathon karting event in 2023 dedicated to Bianchi to creating a special helmet to remember him at the 2024 Japanese GP, Leclerc has gone far and beyond to show his love.

Out of all those special gestures, the Ferrari driver’s Pole position at the Monaco GP qualifying today takes the crown. On this day in 2014, Jules Bianchi drove the race of his life to secure his first F1 points and end team Marussia’s turmoil. Starting on the back row in P21 owing to a gearbox change penalty, the Frenchman routed through the grid to heroically finish in P9. Unfortunately, this was his highest finish in a career that could’ve witnessed a championship with Ferrari.

But what Bianchi couldn’t achieve as his life was sadly cut short, Leclerc is. This Sunday in Monaco is his best chance to emerge victorious to the cheers of his home fans finally.

Charles Leclerc cooks “perfect” Monaco GP plan with Carlos Sainz

Charles Leclerc has patiently waited for his first victory on the track where he took his school bus as a child. Ferrari has the pace and sensible strategic structures to facilitate this, unlike his previous attempts. Unless Oscar Piastri, starting in P2, gets a better start, the Monegasque will lead and control the race. But McLaren’s pace will always pose a threat. This is where Carlos Sainz‘s support, who starts P3, comes into the picture.

“I need a good launch off the grid,” Leclerc remarked post-qualifying. “Once we do that, hopefully, Carlos can have a great start and follow me into Turn 1, and be 1-2. If we are 1-2, we can manage that as a team. That would be the perfect scenario. Whatever happens, we just need to bring that victory home.”

Ferrari’s SF24 looks menacing around the bumpy Monaco circuit. Unless all hell breaks loose and Max Verstappen does the unthinkable to emerge into the podium places from P6, Sainz, and Leclerc have the necessary tools at their disposal to fend off McLaren. Can the 5-time Grand Prix winner secure his 6th F1 win after a 2-year dry period? If he does, the residents of Monte Carlo will revel in the historic victory for days and nights on end.