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

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s US GP, Leclerc shed some ligh🎃t on w🅠hy he ended up in New York.

“It was very cool, it wasn't actually planned,” Leclerc said. “My NIE [National Interest Exception] 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 incredib⛎le, what a city. I really, really enjoyed it. 

“And then I went to Milwaukee for the first NBA match of the sꦗeason, which was crazy with the cer🦋emony 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 documents, a member of staff at Nice airport was unaware of it, forcing him t💦o miss his first flight💦.

"It was just one guy𒈔 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 locat🅘or form, so I had to stay in Nice. But anyway, it's no big deal. 

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