Leclerc: “Be a little less aggressive between us”

Nearly 15 days have passed since this contact, as small in size as large in consequences, between the pilots Ferrari during the last Brazilian Grand Prix. 

Back in Maranello, the two men discussed the subject at length and also spoke about it with their boss Mattia Binotto. According to the comments emanating from the red house before the 2019 final in Abu Dhabi, the case was calmly closed. All is forgiven. 

Present at the FIA ​​press conference in Yas Marina, Charles Leclerc did not deviate from this official line.  

« We rewatched the incident carefully to try to understand what happened and see how we could have avoided it., confided the Monegasque, still fighting for 3rd place in the Drivers' ranking. It is an unfortunate combination of circumstances because it is a very small contact with big consequences and all the circus that follows. 

As teammates, we should probably be a little less aggressive with each other. This is not a good thing for the team, nor our fans. We must do everything to prevent this type of mishap from happening again. ». 

Binotto had explained in Brazil that his drivers had been given carte blanche to compete on the track, 2nd place in the Manufacturers' championship being mathematically assured. After an incident which was bad but which we felt was inevitable, the Italian manager he established “ combat rules » to take up the philosophy adopted by Toto wolff in Mercedes at the time of the duel Hamilton-Rosberg?

« We will always have the possibility to fight, replied Leclerc. Seb and I are competitors. We both want to win but we defend the same colors so we have to know how to find compromises. We need to give ourselves more space. This is the only thing that will change in my eyes ». 

Challenged to find out if a culprit had been named during the examination of the facts, Leclerc did not so much kick in and retorted that he and Seb were at fault. 

« Seb probably should not have shifted to the left and he knows it, he noted. And I could have avoided it. We are both responsible but the most important thing was to clarify things. It's done and we're moving forward ». 

Hag should have been present alongside Leclerc this Thursday in Abu Dhabi but the quadruple German world champion was excused to attend the birth of his 3rd child.