In a surprising twist at the Chinese Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton tangled at the start, sparking intrigue among fans.
- Leclerc insists that neither he nor Hamilton were to blame for the incident, describing it as a typical racing mishap.
- Despite the collision, Leclerc showcased his resilience by maintaining competitive speed throughout the race.
- This minor clash led Leclerc to caution Ferrari to brace for similar competitive incidents as the season progresses.
- Both Ferrari cars were later disqualified, adding an unexpected twist to the race’s final outcome.
At the onset of the Chinese Grand Prix, tensions ran high as Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton found themselves in an unexpected skirmish. As the race charged through Turns 2 and 3, Leclerc’s Ferrari clipped Hamilton, leading to a loss of a front wing endplate. Leclerc explained that this unintentional contact was not due to any reckless driving, stating, “Honestly, it’s not Lewis’s fault, at all.” Both drivers were simply focused on their race, with no ill intentions involved.
Though Leclerc suffered a significant downforce reduction due to the damage, he resiliently continued to outpace Hamilton for much of the race. He opted not to pit for a wing replacement to avoid losing track position, acknowledging a potential better outcome was sacrificed for strategic reasons. Leclerc admitted, “We didn’t want to take the eight seconds at the pit stop of changing a front wing… I just wanted to keep track position.”
Ferrari’s principal, Fred Vasseur, described the race as puzzling yet encouraging, with Leclerc’s pace offering some solace amid the chaos. Meanwhile, Hamilton appeared to struggle despite previously impressive performances. Vasseur highlighted that while all teams face similar challenges with tire management, understanding the nuances remains vital to success.
Leclerc and Hamilton initially finished the race fifth and sixth respectively; however, post-race inspections resulted in both Ferrari drivers’ disqualification. Leclerc’s car was found underweight, while Hamilton’s Ferrari faced issues with wear on the underfloor plank, adding further drama to Ferrari’s Grand Prix story.
Leclerc’s encounter with Hamilton at the Chinese Grand Prix highlights the unpredictable nature of racing, reminding Ferrari to stay prepared for future on-track conflicts.
