# Charles Leclerc — 2024 season

Source: https://www.thef1formula.com/seasons/charles-leclerc-2024
Last updated: 2026-07-01

> Charles Leclerc's 2024 season saw him secure third in the Drivers' Championship with three victories and thirteen podiums, demonstrating Ferrari's improved competitiveness.

Charles Leclerc’s 2024 Formula 1 season was characterized by a potent blend of early consistency, a mid-season dip, and a powerful resurgence that ultimately secured him third place in the Drivers' Championship.

## Going in
The 2024 season, firmly within the ground-effect regulations, presented a more level playing field than the preceding years where Red Bull had established a significant advantage. The evolution of [Formula One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_One) under these technical directives continued to shape team strategies. Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc at the helm, entered the year with expectations of challenging at the front, aiming to convert their raw pace into consistent results. Leclerc, now a seasoned competitor since his [2018 debut with Sauber](/seasons/charles-leclerc-2018), was anticipated to be a key figure in Ferrari’s campaign, especially given the competitive landscape where several teams had closed the performance gap. The early rounds would be crucial for establishing the Scuderia's position in this tightened field.

## How it played out
Leclerc’s season began with a strong run of form, securing four podium finishes in the first eight races, including a third place at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and a second in Australia. The highlight of this initial phase was his dominant victory at the Monaco Grand Prix, starting from pole position and controlling the race to take a long-awaited home win. This period showcased Leclerc's ability to extract maximum performance from the SF-24, often converting strong qualifying efforts into valuable points.

However, the middle segment of the season presented challenges. A DNF due to an engine issue at the Canadian Grand Prix marked a difficult patch, followed by an eleventh-place finish in Austria and a fourteenth in Great Britain. These races were a clear trough, highlighting areas where Ferrari needed to improve both reliability and race-day execution. This slump temporarily shifted the championship narrative, but Leclerc and Ferrari responded.

The latter half of the season saw a significant upturn in performance. From the Belgian Grand Prix onwards, Leclerc consistently finished in the top five, frequently on the podium. He secured two more victories: a popular win at the Italian Grand Prix, Ferrari's home race, and another commanding performance at the United States Grand Prix. This late-season surge, which included a further seven podiums, propelled him to a final tally of 356 points, securing third in the championship standings with three wins and thirteen podiums across the 24-race calendar. His impressive recovery in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, climbing from a P19 grid start to finish P3, underscored his resilience and race craft.

## Defining moments
The 2024 season for Charles Leclerc was punctuated by several pivotal moments. His victory at the Monaco Grand Prix was a significant personal milestone, delivering a home win that had eluded him in previous attempts. This was not just a win but a statement of intent from both Leclerc and Ferrari, demonstrating their capability to perform under immense pressure on a unique circuit. The subsequent engine failure in Canada served as a stark reminder of the mechanical reliability challenges that can impact a championship bid, forcing a strategic reset for the team.

The mid-season dip, particularly the P11 in Austria and P14 in Great Britain, tested the team's resolve. These results were uncharacteristic of Ferrari's front-running aspirations and prompted a focused effort on understanding and rectifying the car's performance limitations on certain circuit types. The turnaround, beginning with consistent points in Hungary and then podiums at Spa and Zandvoort, set the stage for his second win at the Italian Grand Prix. This home victory, celebrated by the Tifosi, was a crucial psychological boost and confirmed Ferrari's improved package. The [official Formula 1 site](https://www.formula1.com/en) highlighted these key performances throughout the season.

## What it meant
Charles Leclerc's 2024 season solidified his standing as a top-tier driver capable of fighting for the championship when provided with a competitive car. Finishing third in the Drivers' Championship with 356 points, three wins, and thirteen podiums represents a substantial step forward for both Leclerc and Scuderia Ferrari in the ground-effect era. While Red Bull remained a formidable force, Ferrari’s improved consistency and ability to win on merit at diverse circuits indicated a narrowing of the performance gap.

The season demonstrated Leclerc's growth in managing races and capitalizing on opportunities, even when starting further down the grid, as seen in his charge from P19 to P3 in Abu Dhabi. His performance contributed significantly to Ferrari's constructor's championship efforts and provided a strong foundation for future seasons. The data available through resources like [Jolpica/Ergast](https://api.jolpi.ca/ergast/f1/2026.json) will undoubtedly show the detailed performance metrics that underpinned this successful year. This trajectory suggests that Leclerc, who has consistently shown his speed since his [2019 move to Ferrari](/seasons/charles-leclerc-2019), and through challenging years like the [2021 season](/seasons/charles-leclerc-2021), is well-positioned to contend for the ultimate prize in the coming years as the [FIA F1 World Championship](https://www.fia.com/events/fia-formula-one-world-championship) continues to evolve.