On Monday night, Formula One championship leader Charles Leclerc escaped unharmed after being snatched off his $320,000 Richard Mille watch in Italy.
The watch was allegedly stolen from Leclerc while he was out with friends and his trainer, Andrea Ferrari, in the Tuscan town of Viareggio.
According to sources, Ferrari driver Leclerc was recognised by fans who approached him for signatures and photographs. A thief managed to remove the watch from Leclerc’s left wrist among the crowd that rapidly gathered around him. According to Leclerc’s trainer, the thief flew safely due to the area’s low street lights.
“It’s been months since Via Salvatori has been completely in the dark,” read one of Andrea Ferrari’s Instagram stories.
“We’ve been reporting this for months. Well, last night in via Salvatori, they robbed us. Do you plan to fix the street lamps sooner or later? I ask for a friend.”
Leclerc reported the crime to police, who are now investigating whether it was premeditated or an opportunistic act of theft. If the thief’s motive were to sell the watch, he would have difficulty doing so. However, suppose Leclerc’s watch is anything like the one stolen from McLaren driver Lando Norris before the British Grand Prix last July. In that case, it will be tough to sell without raising suspicion.
The timepiece is reported to be a Richard Mille RM 67-02 created in partnership with Ferrari, the company’s official partner. Lando Norris, a McLaren driver, famously had a Richard Mille stolen following the 2020 UEFA Euro final at Wembley.