Highlighting Charles Leclerc's F1 career: first pole, podium, victory and key milestones
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Charles Leclerc has been at the center of many unforgettable moments in his Formula 1 journey, and as he prepares for his first season alongside Lewis Hamilton, we reflect on the standout achievements that have defined his career, including his first win and pole position.
Charles Leclerc's rise to prominence began in the karting world, where he dominated the French PACA Championship, securing victories in 2005, 2006, and 2008. His success continued on an international level, eventually leading him to the competitive world of junior single-seater racing.
After finishing as the runner-up in both the Formula Renault 2.0 championship and the prestigious Macau Grand Prix in 2015, the Ferrari junior moved up the ladder, excelling in the GP3 Series and later Formula 2. His consistent performance in these categories earned him a place in Formula 1 in 2017.
Already part of the Ferrari Young Driver Program, Charles Leclerc was given his F1 debut with Ferrari's sister team, Alfa Romeo, in 2018. Initially struggling with the non-competitive car, he gradually found his rhythm, earning valuable points finishes in Azerbaijan, Spain, Canada, France, and Austria.
Although his first season in F1 ended with a 13th-place finish in the Drivers' Championship, Ferrari recognized his potential and made the decision to replace Kimi Räikkönen with him for the 2019 season, where he would go on to establish himself as one of the team's key drivers.
When did Charles Leclerc make his Formula 1 debut?
Charles Leclerc's F1 debut came at the 2018 Australian Grand Prix, driving for Sauber in the C37. Starting 18th, he managed to finish in 13th, marking the beginning of his journey in Formula 1.
Charles Leclerc's First Pole Position in Formula 1
Charles Leclerc's big break came early in 2019 when he secured his first pole position at the Bahrain Grand Prix, just his second race with Ferrari. He led the race for 48 laps before suffering an engine issue that cost him the win, allowing Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas to pass him in the final laps.
Charles Leclerc's First Podium Finish in Formula 1
Although his first race victory with Ferrari slipped through his fingers, the Monegasque driver found solace in his first-ever Formula 1 podium at the 2019 Bahrain Grand Prix. His second-place finish was particularly special, as it marked the first podium for a Monegasque driver since Louis Chiron's third-place finish at the 1950 Monaco Grand Prix.
Charles Leclerc's First F1 Grand Prix Victory
Charles Leclerc finally claimed his maiden Formula 1 victory at the 2019 Belgian Grand Prix, 11 races after his pole position in Bahrain. After starting from the front, he fought off a relentless challenge from Lewis Hamilton to take the win by just 0.981 seconds. The victory was made even more poignant as he dedicated it to Anthoine Hubert, his friend and rival in junior formulas, who tragically lost his life in a Formula 2 accident that weekend. Charles Leclerc would go on to secure another victory just a week later at the 2019 Italian Grand Prix in Monza, triumphing in front of Ferrari's passionate Tifosi.
Charles Leclerc's Most Iconic Drives for Ferrari
Among the many remarkable performances Charles Leclerc has delivered for the Maranello team, one of the most significant came in 2024 when he finally broke his Monaco Grand Prix "curse." The Monegasque driver had dreamed of winning his home race for years, coming close multiple times. In 2021, he started from pole but was forced to retire before the race even began due to a crash in qualifying. The following year, he once again claimed pole, but a strategic error during the pit stops prevented him from converting that advantage into a victory. However, in 2024, Charles Leclerc produced a flawless performance, securing pole position with an exceptional lap before claiming a dominant lights-to-flag victory, helped by an early red flag that allowed him to maintain his position without the need for a pit stop.
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