Charles Leclerc revealed who he believes are the “nicest” drivers on the grid ahead of his home Grand Prix last weekend, where he once again endured a weekend to forget.
The Monaco Grand Prix hasn’t been the luckiest of places for Leclerc over recent years, with the 25-year-old having finished his home race for just the second time on Sunday.
Leclerc has a tendency to not make the end of his home GP; however, he was able to finish sixth in challenging conditions last weekend.
The Ferrari driver would’ve been a podium contender had he not been awarded a three-place grid penalty after qualifying, for blocking Lando Norris in the tunnel during Q3.
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Leclerc qualified third but started the sixth round of the 2023 season from sixth, a position he struggled to progress from.
He at least scored points for just the fourth time this season, following his retirements in Bahrain and Australia.
The result kept him seventh in the Drivers’ Championship, with him being behind several of the “nicest drivers” in the paddock.
Leclerc was asked to reveal who the “ten nicest drivers” on the grid are ahead of his home event, with the Ferrari driver having revealed that despite what “most people think”, reigning World Champion Max Verstappen is one of the nicest in the paddock.
The reigning World Champion isn’t necessarily seen by fans as being one of the friendliest drivers in the sport, perhaps due to his sheer focus on defending his crown.
When racing, Verstappen is fearless; however, he is often heard cracking jokes with his team the moment a session is completed, demonstrating the different sides of the Dutchman.
His friendly side is seemingly the one which is on display when the Red Bull driver is with Leclerc, who also named the likes of Lewis Hamilton as one of the nicest members of the paddock.
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“Who are the ten nicest drivers, or the ten whom you have the most affinity with?” Leclerc was asked by Canal+.
“Pierre [Gasly], no doubt,” began answering Leclerc, “Carlos [Sainz]. Lando [Norris]. George [Russell]. Alex Albon. Yuki [Tsunoda]. Lewis [Hamilton].
“Max [Verstappen] also, even though most people think it’s not the case but it is,” revealed the Monegasque, before adding Esteban Ocon and Lance Stroll to his list of the ‘nicest’ drivers on the grid.