Charles Leclerc says he doesn't understand "who is forcing the narrative" of a rivalry with Ferrari Formula 1 team-mate Lewis Hamilton after their clash at the Italian Grand Prix. The Monegasque believes the media is blowing things out of proportion, especially after the team's strategic woes in the Netherlands.
Hamilton and Leclerc came to blows on the first lap of Ferrari's home race at Monza when the seven-time world champion sent an aggressive lunge up the inside at Turn 1, only to be forced off onto the gravel by his team-mate as they exited the chicane. Hamilton dropped to 10th, while Leclerc later crashed out of fourth place at the end of lap two, ending Ferrari's hopes of a home victory early.
Leclerc suggested that the media is pitting the Ferrari drivers against each other. "I don't really know who is forcing that narrative that we are one against the other," he told Crash.net. His Zandvoort remark referenced the scrutiny over Ferrari's decision-making that cost both drivers a shot at a podium in the Dutch GP. "Honestly, Zandvoort, there was way too much talk already," he added.
However, Leclerc admitted that his scrap with Hamilton "went too far" during the first sequence of corners at Monza. "Here, it's true though that we went too far. I think Lewis in Turn 1, then Turn 2, I tried to do the tightest corner possible, but that was just not enough – and doing it here is not good," he acknowledged.
Hamilton Fires Back
Hamilton, who went on to finish sixth on a disappointing day for Ferrari, firmly disagreed with Leclerc's view. "I was ahead in Turn 2. By the apex, I was ahead. So there was no 'we' in it," he pointed out. The Briton also defended his racing style, stating, "I don't race dirty. I've always raced clean and fairly and always left space. So I don't think they should be worried about me."
Hamilton added that he has tried to be respectful of space and not put the team in jeopardy since joining Ferrari. "I stand by that and that's all I can talk about, on my side. You have to speak to Fred about the other side," he said, referring to team principal Fred Vasseur.
The incident was a major blow for Ferrari, who were hoping to challenge for victory at their home circuit. Instead, they lost one car early and could only manage sixth with the other, extending their winless streak at Monza to over five years.
Baca Juga
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