Charles Leclerc reveals private Lewis Hamilton talks after Italian GP spat
Charles Leclerc has revealed the outcome of private conversations between himself and Lewis Hamilton, after the pair clashed last weekend in Italy.
The Ferrari team-mates clashed at Monza, after Leclerc was accused by Hamilton via team radio of pushing him off during their opening-lap battle.
Leclerc then crashed out in the second lap, setting a torrid afternoon in stone for Ferrari. Now, the 29-year-old has revealed that he and Hamilton discussed their emotions post-Monza, ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.
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Charles Leclerc takes blame for Italian Grand Prix spat with Lewis Hamilton
Speaking to select media, and relayed by GPBlog, the Monegasque driver was initially reluctant to discuss the incident, believing it would appear as if he and Hamilton were “going back and forth.”
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The 28-year-old revealed that he held private talks with his Ferrari team-mate, and downplayed the possibility of internal division, ahead of this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.
"I don't want to talk about it because it feels then and I know it's not a bad intention from you guys, but then in Britain, then everything sounds like we are just going back and forth with Lewis, which is not the case,” confessed Leclerc.
“The most important [thing] is that we clarify the situation. We talked, I told Lewis how I felt, Lewis told me what he felt, and I think we fully agree with both of our views in hindsight when we speak, without the emotions of the race.
“So it happens. It's not the last time that will happen, I'm sure, because it's the kind of things that happens in racing, particularly when we are starting so close to each other so often,” he continued.
“But surely it's not a situation that we want to find ourselves in again,” admitted the Ferrari driver. “And that is very clear for [Hamilton] and for myself."
Sky Sports also reported that Leclerc took responsibility for their spat, having failed to behave in a proper manner at Monza.
“I have a lot of respect for Lewis. I told him, in Turn 2, I didn't behave the way I should have and the way a team-mate should.
"It happens when you are super motivated, Lewis is super motivated and I'm super motivated and we all try to do our best.
“Sometimes you go too far, which I did, and we will re-tune that in order for it to not happen again in the future,” Leclerc concluded.
Charles Leclerc looks ahead to Spanish Grand Prix after crash-out at Monza
The 28-year-old crashed out in Monza’s second lap, which required a red flag to be deployed as safety officials worked to repair the barriers at Leclerc’s spin-out site.
The Monegasque driver was taken to the medical centre and underwent precautionary tests, being cleared of immediate injury, but revealed post-Monza that he would require additional checks.
Leclerc will undergo further testing today, as he battles to regain health ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix. Should the 28-year-old fail said checks, a forgotten F1 driver has been offered a shock Ferrari return as his back-up.
At Monza, fans spotted via Oscar Piastri’s onboard that when Leclerc lost the rear of his Ferrari, he also touched a drainage grill, which offered further explanation into his Italian crash-out.
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Ferrari will hope for a stronger weekend in Spain, with both Leclerc and Hamilton having put the past behind them.
Topics: Formula 1, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Kedar Bayley