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F1 Fans React To Charles Leclerc Allegedly Being Robbed Of Iconic $320K Richard Mille Watch

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F1 Fans React To Charles Leclerc Allegedly Being Robbed Of Iconic $320K Richard Mille Watch

Getty Image / Peter J Fox


  • Formula 1 superstar Charles Leclerc was reportedly robbed by a pickpocket in Italy
  • The thief apparently made off with the racer’s rare Richard Mille watch worth $320,000 after Charles was approached by fans to take a photograph
  • Read more RACING stories here

Formula 1 superstar Charles Leclerc was reportedly robbed by a pickpocket in Italy who made off with his $320,000 Richard Mille watch. All crime is deplorable, that should go without saying, but pickpockets are amongst the scummiest criminals on the planet. They prowl around and take advantage of people who feel comfortable and exploit someone’s personal generosity to rob them when they’re unsuspecting.

Living in the United States, pickpocketing is kind of like the Bermuda Triangle or quicksand. It’s one of those things we learned about as kids and we were led to believe it’s a much bigger problem (here) than it ever is. I lived in NYC for a decade and never once encountered a pickpocket or knew a single person who was pickpocketed. In Europe, however, it’s apparently a much more common type of thievery.

Charles Leclerc arrived in Italy for this week’s 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at the world-famous Autodromo track. According to TMZ, Leclerc was being a tourist in Via Salvatori and walking around at night (10 pm) when he was ‘recognized by fans’ who asked to take a picture with him. Shortly after taking the photograph, he realized his $320,000 Richard Mille watch was missing.

If there is a silver lining here it’s this: Charles Leclerc is a Ferrari driver and Ferrari has a partnership with Richard Mille. His team will be able to get him another watch if his timepiece isn’t able to be recovered by the authorities.

This picture was posted to the official Richard Mille Instagram account after Charles recently won the Australian Grand Prix:

Here’s a good look at the watch:

Racing Fans React To Robbery News

According to TMZ, this didn’t stop Leclerc from taking a picture with a fan just hours after being robbed:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CcihmCRNIqt/

Incredible Season For Charles Leclerc, So Far

Charles has had a red hot start to the Formula 1 season. He leads all drivers with 71 points (Russell in 2nd with 37) and has already notched 2 wins and 3 podiums in just 3 races.

Thankfully, he wasn’t harmed in the robbery. Unfortunately, as far as I understand the world of pickpocketing they are rarely apprehended because their craft relies on not being noticed. But his red Ferrari Richard Mille watch is iconic. It’s not as if someone can just sell it on the secondary market without someone else recognizing it.