Leclerc on the Imola race: “It’s a shame”

Max Verstappen chatted in a relaxed and relaxed manner about his perfect weekend during the furious Red Bull triumph in Ferrari Land. Opponent Charles Leclerc wanted to sneak out of the Scuderia motorhome as undetected as possible with a cap and face mask; the encouraging words of the fans could no longer comfort the remorseful Monegasque in Imola.

“There are no excuses, I made a mistake that I shouldn’t have made,” he said on Sunday in Italy: “It’s a shame.”

Almost 100.000 fans came, but after a Formula 1 race that was pretty forgettable for the Scuderia, the red party on the podium was nothing. Leclerc couldn't get past sixth place after a driving error. Carlos Sainz, who had his contract extended by Ferrari on Thursday last week, found himself standing in his car in the gravel after a few meters.

Red Bull took the lead in Imola. © APA/afp / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

The world champion was there for that. In contrast to the changeable and rather bad weather, Verstappen could not have driven more consistently: place in qualifying, first place in the first sprint race of the season, first place at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix with the fastest lap. After two retirements in three previous races due to defects, the entire team was relieved. Especially since stable rival Sergio Perez completed the double success ahead of Lando Norris in the McLaren. “I apologized for the car.” Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff Lewis Hamilton, on the other hand, was again one of the big losers. He struggled to the finish in 13th place in the Mercedes. “I apologized for the car he has to drive at the moment,” emphasized team boss Toto Wolff. After all: Hamilton's new teammate George Russell made it to fourth place in the second Silver Arrow.

Also because Leclerc wanted too much. “I went over the limit and paid the price,” said the winner of Bahrain and Australia. With the soft tires, he slipped shortly before the end on the track, which was still partly wet, and spun the car. After a minor contact with the barrier, he had to pit again. Instead of at least separating the Red Bull duo and securing second place like in Saudi Arabia, Leclerc missed the podium for the first time this year.

He still has a clear lead in the rankings. But Verstappen has come closer. Before the weekend in Italy, the Dutchman was in fifth place and had 46 points less than Leclerc. Thanks to Imola's maximum result with a total of 34 points, Verstappen moved into second place overall. He now has 59 points, Leclerc 86. In theory, Verstappen could get to just one point in Miami with a win and the fastest race lap and a zero from Leclerc.

>>> Click here for the detailed race report.

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Leclerc on the Imola race: “It’s a shame”

It was supposed to be a really big party for around 100.000 fans along the track and millions more in front of Italy's TV screens. Instead, Ferrari will have to lick its wounds after the home race in Imola.

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