Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc opened up on the circumstances that ended his Italian Grand Prix on a sour note, explaining that a brief loss of grip on the high‑speed back straight forced him into the barriers at the Curva Grande. In a post‑race interview posted on Formula1.com, the Monegasque driver said the car’s rear‑end became “unsteady” after he lifted off the accelerator too early while defending against a charging Lewis Hamilton.
Leclerc added that the contact with the wall was unavoidable once the car began to slide, noting that the impact was relatively light but enough to damage the rear suspension beyond immediate repair. “I tried to keep the car stable, but the rear just went sideways,” he said. The crash handed Ferrari a double DNF, leaving the team with only Carlos Sainz Jr. to finish the race.
Beyond the crash, Leclerc reflected on the wheel‑to‑wheel duel with Hamilton that unfolded in the closing laps. He described the fight as “way too close”, emphasizing that both drivers were pushing the limits of tyre grip on the abrasive Monza surface. “We were both on the edge, and a tiny mistake could have taken us both out,” Leclerc explained. The battle saw Hamilton briefly overtake Leclerc before the Monegasque driver reclaimed the position, only for the crash to end his race a lap later.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur later confirmed that the car’s rear‑end damage was severe enough to require a full replacement, and that the team will focus on improving tyre management for the remaining high‑speed circuits. The incident also has championship implications, as Leclerc’s retirement allowed Max Verstappen to extend his lead in the drivers’ standings.
For Indian fans
The Italian Grand Prix was broadcast live in India on FanCode with a 3:30 am IST start, and the post‑race interview with Leclerc was replayed during the post‑race analysis segment. Indian viewers can catch the full interview on the FanCode app or on the official F1 YouTube channel, which typically uploads race‑day content within an hour of the live broadcast. With the next race at Singapore, Indian fans can look forward to a night‑time showdown that starts at 9:30 pm IST on 22 September, also on FanCode.
Source: Formula1.com
