Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has encountered a series of setbacks at the Monaco Grand Prix, his home race, and another crash has added to his long list of unfortunate events happening in the Principality.
From 2017 to 2023, Leclerc achieved two pole positions but was unable to convert them into victories. Additionally, he faced three retirements at Monaco, in some cases, even before the race had begun.
This string of misfortunes at his home race sparked what many have dubbed the “Monaco curse,” a shadow that seems destined to follow him throughout his career.
The curse made its presence felt again during Friday’s FP1, where Leclerc collided with the back of Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin as the Canadian unexpectedly turned into the racing line at a much slower speed. Stroll had been allowing another car to pass, which caused him to slow down without clear communication from his team, placing him squarely in Leclerc’s path as he took the hairpin.
The FIA stated that Stroll was “wholly to blame” for the incident and imposed a one-place grid penalty on the Canadian driver for Sunday’s race.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Leclerc’s Ferrari lost its front wing, though it managed to get back on track eventually and ended up at the top of the time sheet. The Aston, however, needed a gearbox change and massive repairs to the car’s rear.
“Died 2024. Born 2025. Welcome Back Leclerc Monaco curse,” Tom Bellingham posted on X in reaction to the crash.
Several others posted to X, questioning its return:
With Haas driver Ollie Bearman receiving a 10-place grid penalty for overtaking under red flag conditions, some fans are jokingly wondering whether the curse has been “inherited”.
When did the Monaco curse start?
Charles Leclerc’s struggles in Monaco began in 2017 during his Formula 2 season, where he secured pole but retired from both races. In 2018, after moving to Formula 1 with Sauber, he faced a brake issue that caused a crash.
His time with Ferrari in 2019 saw more misfortune, as he qualified 15th and crashed during the race. Leclerc finally claimed pole in 2021, but a car failure prevented him from starting.
In 2022, he secured pole again, but a pit stop miscommunication cost him the victory. In 2023, starting from P6 due to a penalty, he faced another disappointing finish, marking his second consecutive race finished at his home track, but still off the podium.
In 2024, after a start on pole position, the Monegasque finally broke through, getting his maiden home Grand Prix win.
His performance at street circuits like Monaco has always been impressive, securing several key victories and notable podium finishes, with the only thing seemingly hindering him from winning in Monaco being the circumstances.
“I never believed in the curse, but it always felt very difficult in the two occasions I had a chance to win here,” Leclerc said after the race.
“One I couldn’t even start the race. The second one, we didn’t make the right strategy choice, I think. It was very frustrating to lose those wins.
“The thing is that as a driver, you never really know when will be the next opportunity to win, especially when it’s your home race. And even more so when your home race is Monaco, that is such a special track, such a difficult track, and such a difficult weekend to master and do everything perfectly, which we did.
“So I knew that today was another opportunity, I knew how it felt the last two times that I was in this position, but I obviously really wanted to get that victory today.”
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