Leclerc critical of 'unrealistic' move by Stroll in Hungary

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A frustrated Charles Leclerc rued another unlucky moment in his 2021 season caused by an "unrealistic" move by Aston Martin's Lance Stroll in Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix.

The Ferrari driver was another innocent party in the carnage that took place at the start of the race down at the Hungaroring's first corner.

Leclerc was on the inside of the track and behind the mayhem triggered by a clumsy Valtteri Bottas. The Monegasque looked set to steer clear of the chaos, but when he turned into the corner he was hit by Stroll's out-of-control Aston.

The impact put both drivers out of the race on the spot.

"I know that sometimes small mistakes can have big consequences," the Monagesque told the media. "I think though this time it's not really a small mistake.

"I couldn't see Lance in my mirrors and he was five or six positions back, so it was quite unrealistic for him to try anything there.

"But it's life, it happens. It's very frustrating. Quite unlucky on my side this first part of the season, but it's like this and we'll focus to have a better second half of the season."

"Looking at other cars in front, I feel like - if the pace was there - [we could have] challenged for a win. Obviously in the first lap it is very difficult to know where we would have gone from there."

Leclerc's teammate Carlos Sainz dodged the bullets at the start and went on to finish fourth, a position that could be upgraded to third if Sebastian Vettel's exclusion from the race for fuel breach is confirmed by the FIA.

Read also: F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2021 Hungarian GP

Leclerc reckons that, given the race's circumstances, he could have maybe been in contention for an outright win if he had been spared the shenanigans at the first corner.

"Looking at other cars in front, I feel like - if the pace was there - [we could have] challenged for a win," he said.

"Obviously in the first lap it is very difficult to know where we would have gone from there."^

In addition to Sainz's own haul of points in Hungary, the Spaniard's result has allowed the Scuderia to draw level with McLaren in the Constructors' standings.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.