Ferrari star Charles Leclerc on his discussion with Hamilton: “That was necessary”

The seven-time world champion’s comments on Media Thursday proved that Lewis Hamilton’s anger had still not subsided, even days after the row in Mexico with his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc. The record-holding Grand Prix winner reiterated his criticism of his team-mate’s driving style, which had ruined any chance of a Ferrari victory with his aggressive move after the start.

Leclerc stayed away from the paddock, and for good reason: between the race in Mexico and the Grand Prix weekend in Brazil, his first child – his daughter Bianca – was born. However, the Monegasque was back at work at the start of the weekend, even though he watched the first free practice session from the sidelines because junior driver Dino Beganovic was taking part in the session in his team car.

Leclerc, who arrived in Brazil on Thursday evening and immediately had a discussion with his team-mate and team principal Fred Vasseur, only really got going in the second practice session and admitted afterwards: “It was simply a very, very difficult Friday, very tricky. The feel of the car was really very poor, so we’ve still got a mountain of work ahead of us. We’ll probably have to make more changes to the car than we usually do. It just felt strange, so a lot needs to be changed.”

“We certainly lost time on the straights, but the car didn’t feel good in the corners either; that was probably one of the worst feelings I’ve had on a Friday practice session this year. That’s why I think we’ll probably be able to find more time in the corners than on the straights. Because we know we’re lacking on the straights, but normally we’re strong in the corners. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case today,” analysed the 29-year-old.

Charles Leclerc insists: the frustration has gone

“I don’t yet have an answer to the question of whether it was down to the set-up. But I have lots of ideas about what needs to change, and there’ll probably be plenty of adjustments. We’ll have to see if that’s enough. The problems we’re having today were quite significant, and there’s really no reason why we should be struggling so much on a track like this, so we need to find a solution,” Leclerc went on to emphasise.

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Speaking about the discussion with Hamilton and Vasseur, the nine-time Grand Prix winner said: “I think it was really good that we all sat down and had a chat. For me, of course, it’s been a crazy week – in a positive sense, as I’ve become a father for the first time. So I didn’t have time to talk about it, and I think the discussions certainly help to clear up any remaining frustration. That was necessary. Now I feel that everything has been sorted out, and that’s why I also believe the matter is now closed.”