Charles Leclerc revealed that he suffered vision problems just after his violent crash at Monza. Reassuring about his condition, the Ferrari driver will nevertheless have to undergo new examinations before Madrid.
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Charles Leclerc delivered reassuring news after his impressive crash that occurred in the early laps of the Italian Grand Prix, but the Monegasque also revealed having felt a worrying symptom immediately after the impact.
The Ferrari driver explained that he temporarily experienced vision problems in his right eye. The phenomenon has since resolved and Leclerc was allowed to leave the circuit’s medical center, but additional examinations are planned as a precaution before the next Grand Prix in Madrid.
The Monegasque thus wants to ensure that he will be fully recovered before getting back behind the wheel of his SF-26.
“My right eye was not seeing very well”
Leclerc lost control of his Ferrari in the Parabolica while battling with Oscar Piastri. After trying to recover his car, he went through the gravel before violently hitting the barriers.
The impact was strong enough to trigger the G-force sensors installed in the car, making a visit to the medical center mandatory.
Leclerc nevertheless exited his Ferrari on his own before being quickly taken care of by FIA doctors. After receiving medical clearance, he was able to fulfill his media obligations and reflect on the first minutes following the crash.
“It was mainly my vision that was causing a small problem at the start. My right eye was not seeing very well,” he reveals.
A symptom that immediately worried him.
“But now, everything is fine. That was what worried me the most when I got out of the car.”
Some pain after the severity of the impact
Leclerc also felt various pains after the crash, without these causing any particular concern at this stage.
“After that, I had a bit of pain here and there, which is normal after an accident like this. Nothing more.”
Even though he was quickly allowed to leave the medical center, Ferrari and its driver do not want to take any risks.
Additional checks must therefore be carried out in the coming hours to verify that Leclerc is not suffering from any consequences that could compromise his participation in the next Grand Prix.
Leclerc mentions a difference in the power of his Ferrari
The exact causes of the crash also need to be studied.
Leclerc is not yet looking to attribute his off-track excursion to a technical problem, but he reported feeling a change in how the power of his Ferrari was delivered between the first two laps.
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“I think that between the first and second lap, I felt a small difference in the delivery of power.”
Ferrari will now analyze the data from the SF-26 to precisely understand what happened.
However, the Monegasque refuses to draw premature conclusions.
“We will look into it, but I don’t want to comment too much before checking the data and being able to confirm it.”
A huge blow for Ferrari at home
The retirement is particularly hard to take for Leclerc given the context.
Ferrari approached Monza with the ambition to fight at the front in front of thousands of tifosi. Leclerc started third and Lewis Hamilton fourth, offering Scuderia an excellent opportunity to fight for the podium, or even to join the battle for victory.
But Leclerc’s Grand Prix lasted only a few laps.
“It is obviously the most important race of the year for the team, with a huge number of supporters here to cheer you on. It’s very frustrating, but that’s how it is.”
The Monegasque now knows that he can no longer change the result at Monza.
“I can’t change the result. I have to look forward and, hopefully, bounce back in Madrid.”
New examinations before Madrid
The priority now concerns his physical condition.
Even though the first examinations carried out at Monza revealed no major problems and his vision problems have disappeared, Leclerc should undergo several additional checks.
“I think I will still have several additional examinations to do on my side, probably tonight and tomorrow, to make sure I will be fully fit for Madrid.”
The Ferrari driver is confident about his participation in the next Grand Prix, but does not want to take any risks after such a violent impact.
“It should be the case, but it’s better to be careful.”
Ferrari will also have to examine the car’s data to determine if the difference in power delivery felt by Leclerc played a role in his crash.
The most important thing remains the health of the Monegasque. The first signs are reassuring and his vision problems have disappeared, but Leclerc will still have to pass several checks before he can definitively turn the page on his spectacular Monza crash.
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