Monaco and Charles Leclerc have almost opposing personalities. Monaco, with its glitz and glamor, is a haven for the rich and famous. Charles Leclerc—undoubtedly rich and famous—practically grew up on the streets of Circuit de Monaco. And rather than a style statement (or an attempt to evade personal income taxes), the streets of Monte-Carlo are home to him. And he couldn’t be more humble about being a Monegasque. 

F1 is a glamorous sport. So it makes sense that many drivers call Monaco their home—including Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Alex Albon. But none of them know the place like Leclerc does. They didn’t go to grow up, go to school, or even drive their first go-kart there. But Charles shared all of these firsts with Monaco, so maybe Monaco knows him better than he does himself. And perhaps that’s what makes him so down-to-earth. 

In a conversation with Prince Albert II of Monaco, former Red Bull driver, and legend David Coulthard talked about Charles Leclerc’s lifestyle in Monte-Carlo. The Principality is the second-smallest country in the world, and it’s more like a glorified town where everyone knows everyone, and it’s like one big family. Leclerc’s lifestyle is just a testament to how connected everyone is there, and according to Coulthard, “He’s very much part of the normal society here [Monaco].”  

In a “Never Have I Ever” video posted by F1 on its YouTube Channel recently, drivers were asked if they ever regretted a haircut. Leclerc held up the “I have never” side of the paddle, saying, “No, my mom is my hairdresser…” DC can attest to that because he, too, opened up about where he used to get haircuts during his time in Monaco. “His [Leclerc’s] mother used to cut my hair.”

While Monaco might look extravagant and intimidating from the outside, it is nothing but for people who actually live there. And you never know. If you ever visit Monaco and decide to get your hair styled there, it might just be Leclerc’s mother as your hairdresser.

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In the same conversation, Prince Albert talked about how he feels about Leclerc. He said, “It’s tremendous pride and joy for us. I’ve been following him since he was 14 since he won his first titles in go-kart racing. He’s a wonderful young man, great values, great personality.” He’s optimistic that Leclerc’s time will come, and he’ll finally win the Monaco GP.

Will Charles Leclerc even win the Monaco GP?

One thing almost every F1 driver has on their bucket list is winning their home race. And Charles Leclerc, being a Monegasque, has had this dream ever since he started karting. But up until last season, his bucket list might’ve included this entry: Finish a race in Monaco. It’s true. Leclerc had never finished a race in Monaco until 2022, not just in his F1 career but during his time in F2 and F3 as well. 

Leclerc has just had some terrible luck in Monte Carlo. Be it mechanical failures, crashes, or even doomed Ferrari strategies. Monaco is a track where overtaking is close to impossible. And starting on pole, there is highly advantageous. Leclerc qualified on pole there in 2021 and 2022 but couldn’t win the race either time. In 2021, he couldn’t even start the race. And in 2022, a bad strategy call lost him the lead. 

But Prince Albert has complete faith in Leclerc’s abilities, saying, “We’re hoping that one day he’ll not only win here in Monaco, but he will win the big title.” 

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Leclerc is no doubt a generational talent and a down-to-earth one at that. But will he ever be able to fulfill his lifelong dream of winning the Monaco GP—let alone a Championship—if he stays in Ferrari?