Leclerc: $320,000 watch theft 'not a great experience'

Charles Leclerc says the theft last Monday in Italy of his special edition Richard Mille watch "has not been a great experience", admitting that the police investigation into the thievery isn't going as smoothly as reported.

Leclerc was with some friends and his personal trainer Andrea Ferrari in the latter's hometown of Viareggio in Tuscany last Monday evening when he was approached by a group of fans, one of which succeeded in snatching his $320,000 Richard Mille timepiece.

Leclerc tried unsuccessfully to chase down the perpetrator before turning to the local police to report the theft.

"I won’t go too much into details, it hasn’t been a great experience," said the Monegasque at Imola on Thursday. "I cannot say much more than that.

"But obviously everything is going on with the police, and they are trying to find them. It hasn’t been as smooth as what I’ve read.

"But yeah, overall, I am fine and fully focused on the weekend. It won’t hurt me for this weekend."

• Read also: Leclerc confident Ferrari can hold its own in development race

Leclerc will resume his championship charge this weekend on Ferrari's home turf. But the front-runner isn't getting ahead of himself and is urging his crews to keep their excitement in check and to focus on the job at hand.

"I’m very excited," he said. "After the first three races, everything has gone our way, and we seem to have a very strong car for this year.

"Obviously to be at home for Ferrari, I know that in past years we had so much support here, and now to be here in that position, I’m sure it’s going to be special.

"But the most important thing for us this weekend is to not overdo things, which is easy whenever there is excitement, and whenever things are going well.

"We need to stay focused on our job, not try to do too much, and hopefully it will be a positive weekend."

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