Styria – Clash between the two Ferrari drivers, Leclerc: “I simply acted like an idiot!”

The hope of Scuderia Ferrari delivered a very candid analysis of his Styrian Grand Prix, which ended prematurely after a collision in the first lap with Sebastian Vettel, his own teammate!

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Long before the end of the Styrian Grand Prix and Lewis Hamilton’s undisputed victory, the race was marked by the collision at the start between the two Scuderia Ferrari drivers!

Starting 14th after a poor qualifying session and a three-place penalty for impeding Kvyat’s AlphaTauri in Q2, Leclerc immediately tried to make up for lost ground. Getting off to a good start, the Monegasque driver thought it wise to dive inside at the third corner in the midst of traffic. It was a mistake: over-speeding, Leclerc collided with the other Ferrari, driven by Vettel, who had started 10th, on his left at the third corner. The result was Vettel’s retirement at the end of the first lap, with a torn wing.

For his part, Charles Leclerc repaired his car and attempted to continue the adventure. But the damage to his SF1000 was too significant, he also had to withdraw at the end of the 4th lap of the race!

Charles Leclerc: “Today, I screwed everything up!”

« There is no discussion about that. Today, I simply acted like an idiot, I can’t find other words! You have to admit it when it happens.

In addition to that, it’s not the right time! As I said last week, we need to seize the opportunities we have, today could have been one. However, I’m not sure we had the performance to score big points. But well, all points are important… I messed it all up!

I didn’t put the team where it should be with the retirement of both cars. I take responsibility, I saw an opportunity that wasn’t really there… I still tried. I thought if it worked, we would gain 4 or 5 places… but it clearly didn’t work. I was stupid and I will learn.

Just before his interview with Canal+, the Monegasque driver had the opportunity to chat with Vettel in the Parc Fermé. The German driver accepted Leclerc’s apologies, who added:

The fight was a bit complicated. He saw me at the beginning but he had nowhere to go. He also understands… but well, on one hand, it’s not easy for the whole team. Apologies won’t be enough. The points are gone now, I’ll try to make up for it next time.

Sebastian Vettel: “I was very surprised”

Better qualified this time than Leclerc, and not at fault a week after his collision with Sainz, the four-time world champion (starting 10th) seemed a little disheartened in the paddock as he shared his impressions.

« I was very surprised. I had the inside line and I didn’t expect Charles to try something. I was going to take the corner easily, there were a lot of people around me.

The car was handling much better, it’s a shame we didn’t have the opportunity to test the race pace and the developments.

Mattia Binotto: “It’s the kind of accident that can happen during a start.”

Seven and a half months after the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix, it’s another race that ends with a collision for the two Ferrari drivers. This time, the collision occurred in the middle of the pack, early in the race, but with equally detrimental consequences.

But for Mattia Binotto, team principal of the Scuderia, the situation is very different for this Styrian Grand Prix.

« It’s the kind of accident that can happen during a start » he pointed out on the Canal+ microphone in the paddock.

« It is not about looking for someone to blame today: it’s just very unfortunate to see two Ferraris collide on the first lap.

It’s the conclusion of a very difficult weekend for us anyway. We need to look at the car honestly and sincerely. The car needs to improve. It’s not about finding who to blame: we need to work at home, transparently, and try to develop the car as quickly as possible.

Already struggling with its car, the Italian team remains stuck at 19 points, those earned by Leclerc and Vettel last week during the Austrian Grand Prix. Already far behind Mercedes’ 80 points, a solid leader in the constructors’ standings!

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