Leclerc takes responsibility for Hamilton clash: ‘I went too far’

Charles Leclerc has drawn a line under Ferrari’s latest intra-team flash point, admitting that he “went too far” when forcing Lewis Hamilton onto the gravel during their opening-lap battle at Monza.

The Ferrari teammates arrived at their home race under intense scrutiny, and their wheel-to-wheel encounter through the opening chicane only added fuel to the fire.

Running side by side, Leclerc held his line through Turn 2 and took the conventional exit, leaving Hamilton with nowhere to go but off the track. Hamilton was visibly unhappy with the incident, while Leclerc initially suggested immediately after his own race-ending crash that “we went too far”.

Hamilton, however, rejected the collective responsibility, insisting there was no “we” involved.

With emotions cooling after the race, Leclerc subsequently reviewed the incident with team principal Fred Vasseur and spoke directly with Hamilton. His conclusion was considerably more candid.

Leclerc owns his part in the clash

"I mean the rules of engagement, I think it's kind of clear that we never want to see a car of the same team in the grass.

"After reviewing, we spoke with Lewis, I obviously know I went too far in Turn 2 and I said it to Lewis and I think it's very clear what we should do or should avoid going forward.

"But I won't go into much more details of what we said. The only thing I can say is that it definitely did not affect the good relationship that we have and it will not affect anything going forward. And that is the most important for me really.

"Then of course, I mean I know we are driving for Ferrari and if there's one race where you don't want that to happen is in Monza and when these things happen at our home race, then it does a huge mess outside.

"However, looking at the race from outside, there's been also some friction between other team-mates and the only thing we end up speaking of is Lewis and I, which I don't think is quite right.

"But that doesn't mean we did everything perfect. I didn't in Turn 2 and for that I've been straight away very clear with Lewis after reviewing the images.

"I think the most important is that we clarified 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.

"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. But it's not a situation that we want to find ourselves in again so and that is very clear for Lewis and for myself."

For Leclerc, the key point is that the argument did not become a personal one. Two highly competitive drivers can disagree fiercely in the heat of a race and still emerge with their relationship intact once the adrenaline has subsided.

But there was no attempt from the Monegasque to pretend that the incident was harmless.

‘It’s not acceptable’ - especially at Monza

Leclerc acknowledged that the Ferrari spotlight magnified what happened, particularly given the setting. Monza is Ferrari territory, and seeing one of its drivers pushed onto the gravel by the other was always going to generate headlines.

Asked whether the incident had been blown out of proportion compared with other teammate battles during the race, Leclerc accepted that the reaction had taken on a life of its own — while stressing that this was not an excuse.

"Again I need to be careful with that because surely it's not to minimise the way that this unfolded. And as I said, it's not acceptable to see Lewis going in the gravel.

"But for sure the proportions as a matter of fact are much bigger on our side compared to the two other teams that have had some...I mean, I didn't follow the whole race but the two other teams I saw that were fighting at the top, there wasn't as much noise around it.

"So surely, the proportions that it takes when when you are driving for Ferrari is much bigger and particularly if we're in Monza. But that's not to minimise what happens and yeah it's not something that should happen again."

Read also:

• Hamilton sends Ferrari fans clear message: ‘I don’t race dirty’

The episode may therefore be over as far as Leclerc and Hamilton are concerned. They have spoken, compared perspectives and, by Leclerc's account, reached common ground.

For Ferrari, though, the incident serves as another reminder of the combustible territory that comes with putting two elite drivers in identical machinery — particularly when every wheel-to-wheel encounter is played out under the unforgiving glare of the Scuderia's home crowd.

Leclerc has accepted his share of the blame. Hamilton has made his feelings known.

Now the real challenge is making sure the next battle between them stays on the asphalt.

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