Charles Leclerc 'not at all aware' of Vettel penalty

For the second time this season, Charles Leclerc won a podium on behalf of the Team Ferrari yesterday in Canada. A new third place, after that obtained in Bahrain, which rewards a solid race from the young Monegasque.

Offensive at the start on Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), the former Sauber driver did not take any unnecessary risks during the initial sequence against the world champion, however retaining his third place.

After letting the tandem escape Hag – Hamilton, it was at the end of the race that Leclerc got closer to the leading duo of the event, even virtually threatening Vettel's second final place, after the penalty inflicted on the latter.

The Monegasque admitted not having been informed of his teammate's situation. « I wasn't aware at all so no, advances Leclerc, questioned about a possible relaxation of his effort at the end of the race.

I attacked but I didn't know what was happening in front, I didn't know that Seb had a penalty. I was just attacking in case something happened up front, to be there if I had an opportunity but I wasn't aware of the five second penalty. I only did my own race. »

Satisfied with his performance in the race, Leclerc nevertheless admits that he still has to work on a particular point during his race weekends. “I think we were very quick. It's a bit of a shame that I made a few mistakes during qualifying.

I need to work on this to improve. The pace of the race was very, very strong, so it's a good sign for the future. I'm obviously disappointed for the team, we all worked very hard to be there.

The team definitely deserved a victory today, it's a shame, but we will come back stronger and we will continue to move forward like we did in the first races and hopefully victory will come soon. »

Discover the full report and analysis of the Canadian Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondents in Montreal, in issue 2220 of AUTOhebdo, available this evening in digital version, and this Wednesday on newsstands.