Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): How the Monza discussion with Lewis Hamilton went

First, the good news: following his serious crash and impact with the tyre barriers last week at Monza, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc is doing well. So, all’s well that ends well!

The Monegasque driver had complained of vision problems following the violent crash on the second lap of the Italian Grand Prix. During his media session on Thursday in Madrid – four days after the crash – he revealed: “It wasn’t quite as bad as it sounded.”

He’s had lots of tests on his neck, and everything’s fine!

Leclerc: “I had a lot of tests done on Monday after the crash. From the outside, the crash looked like a massive impact, and that’s how it felt too. But it was more the shock of it. I had my neck checked thoroughly because it was very stiff on Monday. But I don’t think that’s unusual after a crash like that. I don’t know the exact names of the tests, but I had my neck checked thoroughly and everything was fine. I only had problems with my vision for a few seconds straight after the accident. Perhaps one eye wasn’t working properly for a moment.” Everything’s fine though – Charles Leclerc is fit for Madrid.

Confrontation between Hamilton and Leclerc

Another major talking point after the Monza race was the close encounter between Leclerc and his team-mate Lewis Hamilton. Leclerc said: “The rules are clear. We never want to see a car from our team in the grass. I’ve looked at it and spoken to Lewis. I know I went too far in Turn 2, and I told him that. And I think it’s clear what we should do and what we should avoid in future. But I don’t want to go into detail. The most important thing is that it definitely has no impact on the good relationship we have.”

Leclerc takes responsibility

Of all races, it was the Italian Grand Prix where the Ferraris clashed. Leclerc: “Monza is, of course, exactly the sort of race where something like that shouldn’t happen. And when it does happen at your home race, it causes chaos on the outside. There was a bit of friction amongst the other teams too, but the topic we end up talking about is Lewis and me, which isn’t quite right. But that doesn’t mean everything was done perfectly. I definitely didn’t get everything right at Turn 2. And I’ve been straightforward about that.»

Topic of the week

2027 MotoGP grid: Almost a quarter of the riders are new – implications for SBK

The 2027 MotoGP grid will feature five new regular riders, with at least three of those dropped set to move to the World Superbike Championship. The ones to suffer as a result are Alvaro Bautista and Danilo Petrucci.

Read More

TV Program

Live

Madrid: Das Rennen Re-Live

FIA Formula One World Championship

13.09.2026 - 17:30

Speaking about his discussions with Lewis Hamilton, Leclerc revealed: “The most important thing is that we’ve cleared this up between ourselves. We spoke; I told Lewis how I felt about it. He told me how he felt about it. And I think, looking back, we’re in complete agreement.” Emotions perhaps ran a bit high after the race. Leclerc: “Of course, we don’t want to find ourselves in a situation like that again in future. And that’s clear to both of us.”