Following the incident at Monza, Charles Leclerc urges caution: in Austin, he and Lewis Hamilton will start directly behind one another
Charles Leclerc wants to prevent a repeat of the internal team incidents with Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari. Ahead of the United States Grand Prix in Austin, the Monegasque driver emphasises that both drivers are clear about how far they are allowed to go in a head-to-head battle. This could prove particularly important at the start: Leclerc and Hamilton will start the race from fourth and fifth on the grid, and things could get tight as early as Turn 1 on the Circuit of The Americas.
“No, we know where the line is that we mustn’t cross,” said Leclerc after qualifying. At the same time, he admits that this line hasn’t always been respected over the course of the season. “I think we’ve had a few situations over the course of the year where I’ve crossed it and Lewis has crossed it. We don’t want to see that happen again – that’s clear.”
Monza incident sparks need for discussion
Tensions between Leclerc and Hamilton had come to a head at the Italian Grand Prix. At Monza, a duel ensued in which Hamilton positioned himself in such a way that Leclerc would have had to give up the corner. However, the Monegasque driver did not give way and forced Hamilton over the outer kerb. Both were able to continue, but the incident prompted internal discussions.
Accordingly, team principal Frederic Vasseur subsequently held confidential talks with both drivers to clarify the situation. In Austin, however, Leclerc explained that there were no specific rules governing the first corner of the US Grand Prix. Instead, he said, it was a matter of both drivers knowing the limits and sticking to them.
The fact that there have been repeated instances of friction between the drivers at Ferrari this season makes the situation even more delicate. Particularly when Leclerc and Hamilton were on different strategies, they were not always as cooperative on the track as would have been helpful for the team.
Turn one in Austin as a particular danger spot
The first corner of the Circuit of The Americas is situated at the end of the start-finish straight on a steep incline and causes the field to bunch up under braking. Particularly on the first lap, when many cars are battling for positions at the same time, collisions can occur there very quickly.
Just how dangerous the situation can be was already demonstrated last year during the Sprint race in Austin. On that occasion, the McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri collided in the first corner. Max Verstappen capitalised on this and went on to secure victory.
Leclerc leaves open the question of how closely Ferrari will work together
Leclerc leaves open the question of whether Ferrari will rely on deliberate cooperation between its drivers in the Austin race. On a circuit like Singapore, where a driver can tactically slow down the field, such team strategies are more conceivable. In Austin, with its open circuit layout, this is less relevant.
“Teamwork is always important,” says Leclerc. At the same time, he qualifies this by noting that deliberately slowing down other teams would not achieve much on this circuit. One thing, however, makes sense wherever we are: “Staying out of each other’s way is always good, no matter where we are.”
Ahead of the race, Leclerc is therefore focusing above all on mutual consideration. Ferrari needs both cars to finish and to score as many points as possible. Following the incidents of recent months, it is likely that not only the sheer pace of the two drivers will be decisive, but also whether they show the necessary restraint when racing head-to-head.