by MangaMoon

Charles Leclerc

Remember… Charles Leclerc beginning the final lap at Spa, with Lewis Hamilton closing behind him? It is September 1, 2019. Leclerc started from pole, but his first victory is still under threat. Hamilton’s fresher tyres help him close the gap; Charles must preserve his remaining grip and make every corner exit count. The Ferrari is fast on the straights. The Mercedes keeps coming. One mistake could cost Leclerc another victory after his earlier disappointments in Bahrain and Austria. He clears the final corners and crosses the line first. Hamilton finishes just 0.981 seconds behind. Charles Leclerc is a Formula 1 race winner. But joy shares the moment with grief. The previous day, his childhood friend Anthoine Hubert died following a Formula 2 accident at the same circuit. They had raced together as children. Now one stands on the highest step of the podium, while the other is gone. Leclerc dedicates the victory to Anthoine and admits he cannot fully enjoy it. That is what makes this finish unforgettable: a lifelong dream comes true, carrying the absence of someone who shared its beginnings.

Material: wooden