Charles Leclerc has criticised the “noise” round him and teammate Lewis Hamilton after their contentious wheel-bumping tour on the Method 1 Italian Grand Prix.
Earlier than his race-ending crash in Monza, Charles Leclerc fought wheel-to-wheel towards Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton on the opening lap of the race.
The Briton tried to get by on Leclerc at Flip 1, however he closed the door by Flip 2, a transfer that noticed Hamilton despatched into the gravel, who complained on the radio that Leclerc pushed him off.
It was an incident that was maybe a heralding of the primary actual flashpoint between the 2 since being paired at Ferrari final season, having but to have an actual second of rivalry.
Talking to media, together with Motorsport Week, in Madrid, Leclerc reviewed his facet of the incident and confirmed that each one is properly between him and Hamilton.
“I clearly know I went too far in flip two and I mentioned it to Lewis and I believe it’s very clear what we must always do or ought to keep away from going ahead. However I received’t go into far more particulars than of what we’ve mentioned.
“The one factor I can say is that it positively didn’t have an effect on the nice relationship that we now have and it’ll not have an effect on something going ahead. And that’s the most necessary for me, actually.”
There was “friction between different teammates”
Leclerc added that he felt that maybe an excessive amount of consideration has been paid to his and Hamilton’s brush collectively, when different teammates – particularly the 2 McLaren and Mercedes duos – had some “friction” over the course of the race.
“Then, after all, I imply, I do know we’re driving for Ferrari and if there’s one race the place you don’t need that to occur is in Monza. And when these items occur at our house race, then it does an enormous mess outdoors.
“Nonetheless, I imply, wanting the race from outdoors, there’s been additionally some friction between different teammates. And the one factor we find yourself talking of is Lewis and I, which I don’t assume is sort of proper. However that doesn’t imply we did all the things excellent. I didn’t in Flip 2. And for that, I’ve been immediately very clear with Lewis after reviewing the pictures.”
When requested if he thinks the incident was blown out of proportion, Leclerc defined additional that he feels the media consideration was “a lot larger” on Ferrari’s facet than different groups.
“I must be cautious with that as a result of certainly it’s to not minimise the best way that this unfolded. And as I mentioned, it’s not acceptable to see Lewis going within the gravel.
“However for certain, the proportions, as a matter of truth, are a lot larger on our facet in comparison with the 2 different groups that which have had some. I imply, I didn’t comply with the entire race, however the two different groups I noticed that have been preventing on the high, there wasn’t as a lot noise round it.
“So certainly the proportions that it takes if you end up driving for Ferrari is way larger and significantly in Monza. However that’s to not minimise what occurs. And yeah, it’s not one thing that ought to occur once more.”
Leclerc minimize a candid determine on Thursday in Madrid, each eager to maneuver on from the incident, but in addition acknowledging the tough week internally at Ferrari after a disastrous house race.
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