This is what Leclerc has to say after FP3 incident with Norris
F1 News
Charles Leclerc has now spoken out about his FP3 incident with Lando Norris. In the final moments of the last free practice session at the Spanish Grand Prix, the Monegasque driver was on a flying lap but was forced to slow down with Norris in the way. Leclerc was unhappy with the McLaren driver and ended up moving across erratically and made contact with Norris. The Ferrari driver was reprimanded by the stewards but did not get a penalty for his actions.
While Norris was able to take pole position in qualifying later on Saturday, Leclerc could only manage P5, starting behind the McLaren driver, MAx Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. After the session, the Monegasque was asked about the incident that took place in FP3.
Leclerc explains collision with Norris
"The version is very simple," explained Leclerc. "Lando exited the pit lane and I was behind on a push lap. Then when he aborted, I also aborted. I braked to be alongside him and I misjudged. So I was on the right, I didn't want to impede either the cars behind, so I was a bit in the middle by being frustrated and looking in the mirror. It was very dangerous to try and not impede, and then we collided. But it was a misunderstanding more than anything."
That incident was noted by the stewards, and while many thought that Leclerc would get a penalty for the erratic move across on Norris, the Monegasque got way with it, meaning he will not be hindered for Sunday's race around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Leclerc was asked if the move was done as a gesture towards Norris in the McLaren, but Leclerc completely disregards that: "No, no, no. I mean, you're always frustrated when you do that, but you never want to touch, because obviously, in FP3, that's the last thing you want to do, to damage the car, first of all, because I've got qualifying right after. So it's never the goal."
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3 October 2024
