What a weekend it was for the Principality of Monaco. Not only did the micro-state host its biggest event of the year, but the winner of the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix was a local hero, the Monegasque F1 pilot Charles Leclerc, making this 81st edition of the iconic race one for the history books.
Scuderia Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, a Monegasque citizen, has won the Monaco Grand Prix for the first time in his career. He joins just one other native of the Principality – Louis Chiron won here way back in 1931 – to have claimed victory on these storied streets.
The emotions were clear to see on the face of 26-year-old Leclerc as well as on that of Prince Albert II of Monaco, who broke with standard protocol to join in with the champagne celebrations on the podium on Sunday 26th May.
Monaco Life looks back on a truly historic edition of the legendary race.
^ Princess Charlene and Prince Albert are pictured in the Cour d’Honneur of the Palais Princier de Monaco ahead of the race, on Thursday 23rd May.
^ Prince Albert headed down to the paddock on Saturday 25th May to witness the third F1 Free Practice session as well as the F2 Sprint Race.
^ The helmet of Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas featured an ocean theme for the Monaco Grand Prix in support of the work and projects carried out by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Blue Marine Foundation. The helmet, which bears the signatures of both Bottas and the Prince, is set to be auctioned off in Monaco in late September, with the funds going to the two conservation organisations.
^ Princess Charlene and Prince Albert are pictured visiting fans in the Association Monégasque des Handicapés Moteurs grandstand, which was located on the ramparts of the Rock.
^ As family tradition dictates for the Leclerc family, middle brother Charles paid a visit to his mother’s hairdressing salon in the Principality in the run-up to the race.
^ The Ferrari driver kept plenty of time spare for his fans during the Monaco Grand Prix. He is pictured here adding his autograph to a photograph of his younger self. Photo via Charles Leclerc / Instagram
^ With Prince Albert at the wheel, nine-year-old Prince Jacques of Monaco was given a very special F1 experience on the morning of Sunday 26th May, when his father took him along on a Honourary Lap of the famed track.
^ Prince Albert and Princess Charlene are positioned in front of the 2024 grid of F1 drivers at a ceremony before the race.
^ After starting in Pole Position for the third time in Monaco, Charles Leclerc finally converted P1 into a win over the weekend.
^ Charles Leclerc punches the air in elation as he wins the Monaco Grand Prix.
^ “Winning here means so much to me, because it’s the race that made me dream of becoming a Formula 1 driver when I was little. So I want to thank the people of Monaco, on the lap of honour I saw so many people on the balconies and I thank all of them for their incredible support. I can’t really explain how I feel,” said a jubilant Charles Leclerc following the race on Sunday 26th May.
^ Prince Albert and Charles Leclerc share a special moment together on the podium.
^ Charles Leclerc and the Ferrari team celebrate their second win of the 2024 F1 season.
^ Charles Leclerc dives into the waters of Port Hercule after Ferrari Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur.
Read related:
F1: Charles Leclerc brings home the win at the Monaco Grand Prix
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Main photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre