Ferrari Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc has placed the blame on himself after a late spin in the Miami Grand Prix cost him a podium finish.
The Monegasque driver had just lost third position to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri when he went to overtake the Australian, but he spun out as he pushed to make the move. While he avoided a massive crash, he did clip the wall and lost further positions to George Russell and Max Verstappen.
“The damage was significant. To tell you exactly what was the damage, I’m not so sure,” Leclerc told Motorsport.com and other media after the race.
“I’m pretty sure there was a puncture, there was probably some suspension damage as well, as I couldn’t really turn to the right anymore. So yeah, I’m very disappointed with myself. It’s all on me and it’s a mistake.
“I obviously need to look because with these cars, you always have the question mark of how much it deploys and considering it was the last lap, maybe there was a bit more out of that corner as you just need to finish the lap with that amount of energy. But that’s not an excuse in any way. It’s all on me and it’s not acceptable. So I need to look at that.”
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Photo by: Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
When asked if the moment was frustration-fuelled from earlier complaints over the team radio about pit strategy, Leclerc added: “No, I was very calm actually. I was very calm. I wanted to get the overtake from Oscar in that last lap. Hence why I didn’t make his life too difficult before the last corner for him to overtake me.
“I was relatively calm in the car. Of course, I pushed like an animal in Turn 3. Most of the time this year, it went through. I’ve had quite a few battles this year, but this time it didn’t. I’m disappointed with myself.”
Leclerc is currently under investigation for potentially leaving the track multiple times and gaining an advantage, driving with an unsafe car, and for causing a collision with Russell.
Photos from Miami GP – Sunday
Miami GP – Sunday, in photos
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