Nico Hulkenberg: Charles Leclerc's frustrations ruined both our Monaco GPs

Charles Leclerc

Hulkenberg: Leclerc's frustrations ruined both our races

The Hulk wasn't impressed.

Matthew Scott

Monday 27 May 2019 12:49

Nico Hulkenberg believes Charles Leclerc's frustrations got the better of him when he attempted a bold move on the Renault man at La Rascasse that spoiled both their races. Leclerc sustained damage that would soon see him retire, while Hulkenberg finished outside of the points having picked up a puncture in the incident.

Leclerc started 15th in his home race after dopy Ferrari strategy had seen him eliminated in Q1.

His recovery began smartly with a neat overtake on Lando Norris at the hairpin and a mugging of Romain Grosjean into La Rascasse.

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However, a repeat attempt on Hulkenberg saw Leclerc hit the barriers, puncturing his own right-rear tyre, as well as damaging the Renault.

Leclerc suffered significant floor damage as he dragged his car around a full lap on three wheels and retired shortly afterwards, something Hulkenberg believes was a symptom of his qualifying disappointment.

"He came first of all from quite far back and then I didn't leave much of a gap anyway and saw that he launched," said Hulkenberg.

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"I played fair, I opened the steering, and tried to let him some space, tried to let us both live, I think he spun into his own axis, he just kissed me but sliced my rear tyre open and that's where basically it all started to go wrong.

"But I think he was definitely too ambitious in that moment.

"I could sense it coming but you've still got to weigh up your chances as a driver and know when it's a real opportunity and when not.

"But I think he was a bit impatient and frustrated after [qualifying], but that's Monaco, doesn't work like that always."