Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has £265,000 Richard Mille watch stolen in Tuscany

Formula One championship leader Charles Leclerc was robbed of his £265,000 watch while signing autographs in Italy on Easter Monday.  

Leclerc was out with friends in Viareggio in Tuscany when at around 10pm local time he was recognised and approached by fans for autographs and photos.

Leclerc, who was out with personal trainer Andrea Ferrari, obliged but realised his Richard Mille 67-02 watch, which had been customised to be in the colours of the Monaco flag, had been swiped from his wrist.

The Monegasque driver and Ferrari immediately alerted local police to the theft and they are now investigating.  

Sportsmail has reached out to the Ferrari team for comment. 

His personal trainer could not hide his irritation on social media at the dangers civilians in Viareggio face late at night. 

He wrote on his Instagram story: ‘Via Salvatori has been completely in the dark for months. We have been reporting this for months.

‘Well, yesterday evening in Via Salvatori, they have robbed us. Think of arranging the street lights sooner or later? Asking for a friend.’

Leclerc’s watch is designed to colours of the Monaco flag and is said to be worth £245,000

Andrea Ferrari, Leclerc’s personal trainer, was with him in the street at the time of the theft

Richard Mille are a long-time sponsor of the 24-year-old Ferrari driver and are popular designs among his peers, too. 

McLaren driver Lando Norris had his own Richard Mille watch stolen in July last year after the Euro 2020 final at Wembley. 

The Bristol-born racer was approached by two men just before midnight as he returned to his car following England’s penalty shootout loss to Italy. 

The Metropolitan Police confirmed at the time that Norris had been left ‘shaken’ by the experience of having his watch, believed to be worth £40,000, taken.  

Monegasque driver Leclerc (left) pictured with his personal trainer Ferrari (middle)

Last year McLaren driver Lando Norris had his £40,000 Richard Mille watch stolen while he returned to his car following the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy at Wembley 

‘He was assaulted and held by one of the men while his watch was removed from his wrist,’ the police confirmed. 

Leclerc’s watch being stolen is far from ideal preparation just days out from the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.

The 24-year-old has been the star of the 2022 season so far and is the current leader of the F1 world drivers’ championship.

Victories at both the season-opening race in Bahrain and the most recent race, the Australian Grand Prix, has propelled Leclerc into genuine title contention with Ferrari looking the best in class at this moment.