Leclerc spent a day in New York ahead of this weekend’s race after he was forced to miss h൩is initial flight.

Speaking ahead of this weekenꦅd’s US GP💛, Leclerc shed some light on why he ended up in New York.

“It was very cool, it wasn't actually planned,” Leclerc said. “My NIE [National Interest Exc🍒eption] hadn't been accepted at the airport, so I couldn't take the original flight, so we changed the flight and went to New York last minute. I managed to spend one day in New York, which was my first time, which was incredible, what a city. I really, really enjoyed it. 

“𓆉And then I went to Milwaukee for the first NBA match of the season, which was crazy with the ceremony of the rings too. Just an amazing experience, and here I am in Austin, ready to get into the car tomorrow.”

While Leclerc had the correct docume꧟nts, a member of staff at Nice airport was unaware of it, forcing him to🌞 miss his first flight.

"It was just one guy at the airport of Nice that for some reason didn't really know what an NIE was, and I got stuck there. He only realised one minute before closing the flight that the NIE was okay, but I didn't have my passenger locator form, so I had to stay in Niܫce. But anyway, it's no big deal. 

“With the same papers I could take a p🔯lane to New York, which helped me visiting this city for the first time.”