After reviewing his duel with Lewis Hamilton at Monza, Charles Leclerc admits to having crossed the line. The Monegasque however assures that their relationship remains intact.
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Charles Leclerc finally acknowledged his responsibility in the incident that opposed him to Lewis Hamilton right from the first lap of the Italian Grand Prix. After reviewing the footage and discussing directly with his teammate, the Monegasque admits to having gone too far in the second corner and assures that such a situation will not happen again.
Both Ferraris had started side by side from the second row at Monza. Hamilton had attacked Leclerc in the first chicane and managed to place the nose of his SF-26 ahead of the Monegasque’s in the second corner, before being pushed to the outside and going onto the grass. The seven-time world champion had dropped to tenth place, immediately compromising his chances of a podium.
Leclerc admits to having gone too far
After the race, Hamilton had regretted the absence of real engagement rules at Ferrari, while Fred Vasseur had announced his intention to discuss the incident with his two drivers. These discussions have since taken place and Leclerc now clearly acknowledges his share of responsibility.
“It is obvious that we never want to see a car from the same team end up in the grass. After reviewing the footage, we talked about it with Lewis and I know I went too far in turn 2.”
For the Ferrari driver, the analysis of the incident also clarified how the two men should behave when they find themselves in direct competition again.
“I told Lewis. It is now very clear what we must do, but also what we must avoid in the future.”
Leclerc does not wish to go into more detail about the internal discussions, but his mea culpa contrasts with the much more cautious statements made immediately after the race.
No problem with Hamilton
The Monegasque insists especially on one point: this episode has not damaged his relationship with Hamilton. Despite the tensions that appeared publicly after Monza, he assures that the two Ferrari drivers have settled their dispute internally.
“The only thing I can say is that it has absolutely not affected the good relationship we have and it will not affect anything going forward. That is really what matters most to me.”
Leclerc nevertheless understands why the incident took such a scale. Contact between teammates always attracts attention, but when it involves two Ferraris in front of the tifosi at Monza, every move is inevitably analyzed with even more intensity.
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“I obviously know that we drive for Ferrari and if there is one race where you don’t want this kind of thing to happen, it’s Monza. When it happens during our home race, it inevitably creates a huge mess outside.”
Leclerc nevertheless considers the controversy excessive
While he takes responsibility for his mistake, Leclerc believes that the incident between the two Ferraris received disproportionate exposure. Other teammates also clashed during the Italian weekend without provoking as many comments.
“Looking at the race from the outside, there were also frictions between other teammates. Yet the only thing we end up talking about is Lewis and me, and I don’t find that entirely fair.”
The Ferrari driver does not seek to use this argument to minimize his responsibility. After precisely reviewing the sequence, his assessment of his own maneuver remains unambiguous.
“That does not mean we did everything perfectly. I did not in turn 2 and I was immediately very clear with Lewis after reviewing the footage. It is something that will not happen again.”
Ferrari wants to avoid a repeat
The incident was particularly costly for Hamilton. After going onto the grass, the Briton had dropped to tenth place and eventually finished sixth, while his fourth position on the grid initially allowed him to hope for much better.
Leclerc had little more success. On the second lap, the Monegasque lost control of his Ferrari in the Parabolica before suffering a huge accident measured at about 60 g, causing the race to be stopped with a red flag.
Ferrari can now turn the page on this episode with a rule that seems at least to have been clarified between its drivers. Leclerc takes responsibility for his mistake, Hamilton was able to express his dissatisfaction, and the two men know that the Scuderia cannot afford a repeat of this scenario.
Leclerc therefore openly admits to having gone too far against Hamilton in the second corner at Monza. But while he takes responsibility, the Monegasque assures that the matter has left no trace in their relationship and especially promises that this type of incident between the two Ferraris “will not happen again”.
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