"Dizzy" Leclerc expecting recovery after battling sprint

Italian Grand Prix

"Dizzy" Leclerc expecting recovery after battling sprint

Leclerc missed the final part of practice with illness but was able to take part in the 18 lap sprint

Ewan Gale

Saturday 11 September 2021 19:58

Charles Leclerc revealed he is suffering from dizziness but expects to be fully fit for the Italian Grand Prix after grinding out a fifth-place start in the sprint.

Ferrari was in turmoil ahead of the 18 lap event at Monza after Carlos Sainz crashed heavily in FP2 and Leclerc was forced to abandon the session late on after feeling unwell.

The Monegasque, however, was well enough to participate in the sprint and finished sixth ahead of his team-mate but will start fifth due to Valtteri Bottas' engine penalty.

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"I am not great but feeling better compared to the morning," Leclerc told Sky Sports. Feeling quite dizzy but should be better tomorrow."

"P6 is a good place to start the main race tomorrow. All the five cars in front of us seem to be quite a bit quicker than us so it will be difficult to stay with them but I will try everything.

Sainz praises mechanics for 'recovering' car

Sainz's car was heavily damaged on the front end after his accident at Ascari but for the second weekend in a row, his mechanics were able to get him out in order to qualify for the grand prix.

"Good progress. A good job by the mechanics," hailed Sainz.

"I don't know exactly what happened. I lost the car completely without even pushing which was a concern because I didn't know what was happening and why I lost the car when I wasn't even pushing that hard.

"They did great to recover the car. We were able to take part in the sprint quali which for me was a good help to pick the confidence back up, take it easy and build the confidence.

"It was a big one, I guess I will wake up sore from the accident but with the adrenaline, I guess I don't feel it that much. I will give it my best shot tomorrow and I should be race fit."