Leclerc would love to 'tick the Le Mans box' with Ferrari

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Charles Leclerc says he would love to have a shot at Le Mans at some point in the future after witnessing Ferrari's historic win in the endurance classic last weekend.

Leclerc was on site at the Circuit de la Sarthe from Saturday to Sunday to support Ferrari-AS Corse's winning efforts in the Centenary edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours.

While the team's #50 entry of his good friend and poleman Antonio Fuoco was delayed during the night by repairs that knocked the crew out of contention for the podium, the #51 sister car of Antonio Giovinazzi, James Calado and Alessandro Pier Guidi brought it home after a titanic battle with the remaining Toyota driven by Sebastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa.

Ferrari's 499P achieved its remarkable win on its Le Mans debut, the Hypercar machine delivering to the Italian manufacturer its tenth overall victory in the Sarthe and its first triumph in the race since 1965!

"It feels absolutely amazing, especially having a Ferrari winning," Leclerc said after the race when asked about his first visit to Le Mans.

"It’s an incredible return after so many years, it’s a very special edition.

"I was here to support, and I’m really happy anyway that Ferrari won, and it was an incredible experience."

Read also: Ferrari triumphs at Le Mans after epic duel with Toyota!

The five-time Grand Prix winner was inevitably asked if he would like to take part in motorsport's blue ribband event. And like his F1 rival Max Verstappen, Leclerc is keen to have a go in the future.

"I mean, why not, why not? I would love to, it’s an incredible event for sure one day in my life, I want to tick that box – when will it be, I don’t know.

"Again, just extremely proud of what Ferrari has done today. It’s been crazy."

For former Alfa Romeo F1 driver and Le Mans winner Antonio Giovinazzi, Ferrari's overall win came against the team's own expectations.

"It’s just special. We ran the car less than a year ago for the first time," said the Italian whose emotions were running high after the race.

"To be here is fantastic. We didn’t expect to survive for 24 hours, but the whole team did a fantastic job. We are all here…

"After 50 years, we are back and we need to be really proud," he said.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.