Leclerc’s poetry in the most boring race ever: what will happen to the Monaco GP?

More than a race, a parade: the first 10 positions always the same for 78 laps out of 78. The only emotion, the victory of Prince Charles

ROME – Had it not been for him, Prince Charles of Monaco, to whet the emotions of those snoring on the sofa, while the Monte-Carlo Grand Prix twisted the same way through the usual hairpin bends and panoramas of the Principality. If only Leclerc hadn’t been at the head of that immutable train, an orderly single file. To write a poem about the most boring race of recent years, with the top 10 positions always the same for 78 out of 78 laps, and then a soporific chess game between teams blocked by each other’s tactics. Here, today without Leclerc, Liberty Media would be celebrating the funeral of its most iconic race. A non-race. More of a parade. This is the unanimous opinion of the international press, especially those least moved by the Ferrari driver’s success at home, after 2 years and a curse to dispel.

Here it is, the side theme. In writes in El Mundo Antonio Lobato: “Years ago, the pilots Formula 1 drivers had to be tough guys, with strong characters, fearsome personalities who demanded respect in their treatment and spread fear around them. Men without doubts or cracks, unable to recognize mistakes because they were forbidden to make concessions or show any kind of weakness. Characters always forced to exhibit an indestructible strength, blind trust in themselves and to pretend that they don’t need anyone’s presence, that they are enough on their own. Lonely characters. Today the story has changed. Charles Leclerc is capable of delighting everyone with a perfect drive through the streets of Monaco and at the same timeof being human, close, vulnerable, sensitive, emotional. A driver with a smiling face, with a sweet gesture, forged with the help of coaches and psychologists to bring out all his talent in easy moments, but also in difficult ones”.

The fact that Monaco is still a circuit where the driving counts, more than the car, matters to few now. The Monaco GP has been won 48 times by drivers who, sooner or later, would become world champions. Leclerc isn’t there yet, but who knows. The point is that if F1 wants to sell itself for show, this is missing and it is clear that things are not going well. It goes very slowly in Monaco. At one point Leclerc was lapping 12 seconds slower than his own pole position. On another lap, he was four seconds slower than Bottas, who was 16th at the time. Should the rules be changed – again, again? There is an ongoing debate in the world of F1: adapt Monaco to the product or enhance it for what it is, a historic parade circuit and little more? Luckily Leclerc is there, at least this time.