Charles Leclerc admits that Sunday's maiden Formula One win in Belgium was a bittersweet triumph following the death of Anthoine Hubert, his friend and F2 driver.
The victory was Ferrari’s first of a disappointing season and sets them up nicely for the next round on their home track at Monza on Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.
An emotional Leclerc, 21, says: “On one hand, this is a childhood dream realised.
“On the other, it has been a very difficult weekend. We have lost a friend first. It’s very difficult in this situation so I would like to dedicate my first win to him.
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“I did my first race with Anthoine when I was seven. There were Esteban [Ocon] and Pierre [Gasly] too.
“We were four kids dreaming of F1. We grew up in karting together for many, many years, so to lose Anthoine was a big shock for me and everyone in the sport.
“It was the first situation for several of us where we lost someone on track and then we race the next day.
“It is obviously quite challenging to close the visor and go through this exact same corner [Eau Rouge, where Hubert died] at the same speed, but that’s what you have to do.”
dailyvoice@inl.co.za