– The Ferrari home race in Monza turned into a major debacle for the Scuderia early on – especially for Charles Leclerc. For the Monegasque, the Italian Grand Prix (follow live here in the ticker) was already over after less than two laps: He crashed heavily into the tire stacks at the Parabolica – similar to what happened in the 2020 season.
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Leclerc was attacked on the inside approaching the corner by McLaren driver Oscar Piastri but was still able to assert himself on the outside line. However, the Monegasque suddenly started to skid while going through the corner and turned left.
The SF-26 slid through the gravel trap and hit the track barrier quite hard on the side. The race control brought out the red flag and initially stopped the race for a little over half an hour.
Vision problems after the accident
Leclerc was able to get out of the car but then had to sit for a few minutes while track marshals took care of his well-being. According to his own statement, he had problems with his vision shortly after the accident.
“I couldn’t see well with my right eye,” he reveals. “That was also my biggest concern when getting out.” However, everything is fine now, although he still has some pain here and there in his body. “But that’s completely normal after such an accident, and nothing more.”
Due to the severity of his accident, he had to visit the medical center afterwards but was released uninjured. Nevertheless, he will undergo some examinations later in the day to make sure he is fit for Madrid next week. “That should be the case, but better safe than sorry,” he says.
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Initial analysis of the cause
Why the Ferrari turned is the question. Leclerc insists it had nothing to do with Piastri’s attack: “I wouldn’t say that was the problem,” he waves off.
“I think from the first to the second lap I had a difference in power delivery. We’re looking at it closely, but I don’t want to comment too much before I’ve checked the data and confirmed it 100 percent,” says the Ferrari driver.
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What might have been possible in the race, Leclerc cannot say, as he was only in traffic for two laps. At the time of the retirement, he was in fourth place behind George Russell, Pierre Gasly, and Max Verstappen.
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“It’s very frustrating, but that’s just how it is now,” he says. “I can’t change the result anymore. I have to look forward and hopefully strike back in Madrid.”
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