Leclerc admits he ‘lost the race’ in Qualifying but takes positives from competitive Monaco weekend

Charles Leclerc was again left with mixed feelings following the Monaco Grand Prix, having been forced to settle for second position behind pole-sitting rival Lando Norris.

Leclerc did everything he could to find a way past Norris across Sunday’s encounter, applying pressure at the first corner and in the closing laps when Max Verstappen – running an alternate strategy – backed the McLaren into the Ferrari.

READ MORE: Norris takes victory over Leclerc and Piastri in gripping Monaco Grand Prix

But victory remained just out of reach for the Monegasque, who was agonisingly pipped to P1 on the grid by Norris in Qualifying and could not add to the breakthrough home win he achieved in the Principality 12 months ago.

Asked if he still felt happy with the result, given Ferrari’s up-and-down form so far this season, Leclerc replied: “Not really, but at the end of the day we lost the race yesterday. We should have done a better job. Lando did a better job this weekend and he deserves the win.

“On my side, I realised a childhood dream last year, not this year, but considering everything I think it’s a lot above our expectations coming here. I thought that being in the top 10 would be a challenge. In the end we are second, very close to P1, so it’s been a good weekend overall – but I wish I won.”

AS IT HAPPENED: Norris beats Leclerc to Monaco Grand Prix victory

Drivers had all sorts of challenges to deal with across 78 intriguing laps in Monte Carlo, with Virtual Safety Cars, yellow flags, traffic and the new two pit stop rule all playing their part.

Asked about his late-race attack on Norris, Leclerc added: “It was good as well from inside the car, because before that it was a little bit boring. I had to leave a gap to Lando because otherwise I would have overheated everything, so I couldn’t be so close.

“Then when I saw Max was playing the long game, I guess he was waiting for a red flag, and that helped me a little bit to put a bit more pressure on Lando, but it was not enough.”

Signing off with a word for the home support, he commented: “As I always say, as Ferrari drivers we are very lucky, we get support everywhere, but being born here and seeing all the Monegasque [people] behind me is something very special.

DRIVER OF THE DAY: Local hero Leclerc gets your vote after taking Ferrari to P2 in Monaco

“We are not many Monegasques, but it warms my heart very much to be at home and have so much support. I wish I had given them the first place, but hopefully next year.”