New York Yankees
Cleveland Guardians
The Greatest F1 Home Wins Before Leclerc Conquered Monaco
Charles Leclerc finally did it. He won the Monaco Grand Prix, his “hometown race”. The Ferrari man had long dreamed of winning in front of his fellow Moneqasque. “I felt like I not only completed my own dream but also the one of my father,” a visibly emotional Leclerc said. It was a happy event for him, his family, and Ferrari.
But as the great Niki Lauda said after he won in his home country of Austria, “Not many people can win in their home countries.” The Ferrari legend was one of many other greats who captured the checkered flag on their home soil. Check out the latest Motorsports News here.
BEST DAY EVER ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for everything, I love you all ❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/7uBoKnNtwi— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) May 26, 2024
F1’s Greatest Wins on Home Soil
Leclerc was priced at +400 betting odds to win the Monaco Grand Prix before qualifying. But for the third straight time, he won the pole and finally delivered a victory. The third time’s the charm. This victory was Leclerc’s first since Austria in 2022 and it put him just 31 points back of Verstappen for first. It marks one of his greatest wins (even if the race itself was boring) and may be compared to these other home victories.
Lewis Hamilton, Felipe Massa Score Emotional Home Wins, 2008
The 2008 F1 season is one for the books. Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes edged Felipe Massa of Ferrari by one point. To this day, this is a contested result and many argue that Massa is the rightful champion. Nevertheless, his victory at Interlagos in Brazil remains a significant one for him. It’s the last race he’d win in his 15-year career.
And in the same year, Hamilton had his own home victory as he triumphed at the Silverstone Circuit. The Briton snatched the lead by the fifth lap then never looked back. It was Hamilton’s first win in front of his fellow British and it also pushed him into a three-way tie atop the driver standings.
From here, Hamilton and Massa would exchange winning races until it came down to the last race, the Brazilian Grand Prix. Massa needed to beat Hamilton by eight points to win the title. And while he finished first, Hamilton secured fifth to give him just enough to win. It was two contrasting scenes as Hamilton secured his first-ever F1 title.
On this day in 2008, Lewis Hamilton won his first F1 World Championship on the last corner of the last lap in Brazil 🏆🇧🇷
Beating Felipe Massa by just 1 point. Ferrari couldn’t believe it 😤 pic.twitter.com/7Ya3oJfePo
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) November 2, 2022
Fernando Alonso Pleases Home Fans in Valencia, 2012
Fernando Alonso had already secured his legacy by 2012. He was a two-time F1 champion and one of the most respected drivers on the grid. He won the Spanish Grand Prix in 2006 during his championship years with Renault. But winning in Valencia was something he’d missed since it hosted the European Grand Prix in 2008.
His win in Valencia, in part of the partisan crowd, maybe his best ever. The Spaniard started 11th on the grid and put on a masterclass as he won the race. “In terms of emotions, nothing maybe compares to this one,” Alonso said after he was overcome with joy.
Alain Prost Wills His Way To Victory, 1981
“You always remember your first.” This makes maiden victories memorable in F1. And Alain Prost did that in spades as he won the French Grand Prix. Despite being hampered by a loose front wing, Prost found a way to win. Rain dampened the course, which resulted in accidents that forced a race restart.
From here, Prost took advantage and secured the lead. Fending off McLaren-Ford’s John Watson, the Frenchman won the French Grand Prix driving for the French team. You can’t script that any better.
Ayrton Senna Cries in Front of His Fans, 1991
And of course, we can’t speak of Prost without mentioning his greatest frenemy, Ayrton Senna. The Brazilian also had to overcome adversity as he dealt with numerous gearbox issues. The F1 odds likely would have turned on Senna. But despite all that, he found a way to hold off Riccardo Patrese.
Senna was overcome with emotion and could barely hold on to this trophy on the podium. It marked the first time he won in front of his home fans, a feat he would repeat in 1993. He would go on to defend his title.
Questions of the Day
Has Max Verstappen won in his home country?
Max Verstappen won the Dutch Grand Prix in 2021, which was the first time a driver of his nationality has.
What are Charles Leclerc’s odds of winning the F1 title after Monaco?
With odds at +1000, Leclerc is the distant runner-up to win the F1 title to Verstappen (-3300).
