Charles Leclerc at Monaco 2025: An intense but insufficient race against Norris
Monaco driver Charles Leclerc put in a solid, combative performance at the Monaco Grand Prix 2025. Always in contact with the leaders, he multiplied his attacks and battled right up to the final laps, without however managing to win ahead of Lando Norris.
Charles Leclerc started from second place on the grid, just behind Lando Norris in pole position. From the first laps, the Monegasque driver showed himself to be threatening, keeping constant pressure on the Briton. Despite a race start marked by close proximity between the two drivers, the unique nature of the Monaco circuit made overtaking extremely difficult.
Leclerc thus regularly found himself in Norris’s wake, notably on laps 60 and 69, where he attempted to find an opening to take the lead, without success. The narrow and winding track did not allow him to capitalize on his attacks, but he remained very close to the leader, creating palpable tension.
A race paced by pit stops and strategy
As often in Monaco, pit stop strategy played a crucial role. Leclerc made his stops on laps 23 and 50, coming out behind Max Verstappen but ahead of Oscar Piastri, which maintained great intensity in the battle for the podium.
While Verstappen and Norris repeatedly exchanged the lead through their pit stops, Leclerc managed to maintain a steady pace and stay in touch with the leading trio. He benefited from the duel between Norris and Verstappen to position himself advantageously, but the situation never turned in his favor.
Inability to overtake on a difficult track
One of the key moments of the race was Leclerc’s long chase behind Norris, where despite his perseverance, he failed to overtake the McLaren driver. In Monaco, where overtaking opportunities are rare, Leclerc encountered solid defense and a track unfavorable to bold maneuvers.
The fierce battle in the final laps, especially between the 70th and 78th, demonstrated the tenacity of the Monegasque, who stayed within a few tenths of a second of Norris but couldn’t overtake. This tactical race ultimately turned to the advantage of the Briton, who won in Monaco for the first time.
A podium missed but an encouraging performance
Leclerc finishes in second place, just behind Lando Norris, and ahead of Oscar Piastri, in a race where he clearly showed his desire to win. His performance demonstrates his talent and his attachment to the Grand Prix of his hometown.
Despite a well-executed strategy and a solid race, there was a lack of that small spark or opportunity to edge out Norris at the finish. Nevertheless, this result reinforces his status among the fastest and most competitive drivers on the grid this season.
A combative Leclerc but hindered by circumstances
The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix offered an intense spectacle, marked by a fierce battle between Norris, Leclerc, and Verstappen. The Monegasque driver proved that he could compete at the highest level, but the specifics of the circuit limited his attacking opportunities.
For Leclerc, this second place is an encouragement to continue working on his race strategy and find the small margins that will allow him to turn his competitiveness into victory on his favorite circuit. Monaco remains a demanding arena where mastery of the smallest detail often makes the difference.
