Leclerc dismisses 'unnecessary risk' claim

Charles Leclerc

Leclerc dismisses 'unnecessary risk' claim

Ferrari driver made a rare mistake at Imola

Ian Parkes

Wednesday 27 April 2022 10:20

Charles Leclerc is adamant he did not take "any unnecessary risk" across the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix weekend that sparked his surprise crash.

Leclerc was on course for a guaranteed third place at Imola when he took too much kerb on entry to the Variante Alta chicane, sending him into a spin and a barrier that forced him into a pit stop for a change of tyres and a new front wing.

After dropping to ninth, the Ferrari driver recovered to claim sixth by the chequered flag, albeit losing out on an additional seven points if he had retained his composure which could prove crucial by the end of the season.

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Red Bull team principal Christian Horner remarked post-race that Leclerc had been consistently quicker than Sergio Perez through Variante Alta and was guilty of being "a bit too greedy" in attempting to hunt down the Mexican.

Asked whether he had been taking too much risk at that part of the track, Leclerc said: "I don't think I was taking particularly more risk but I was quick there and the car felt good there, especially in the race.

"I felt like it was probably one of the corners where Checo was a bit less competitive than me.

"On that lap, I knew there was an opportunity so I tried to push a bit more, and it was too much.

"But apart from that, I don't think I took any unnecessary risk on the other laps during the weekend. Everything was okay on that side."

Leclerc vows to "move on"

After starting the season in stunning fashion with two wins, a second place and all three fastest laps in the opening trio of races, the Imola weekend was a wake-up call for Leclerc.

A 46-point advantage over Red Bull's reigning champion Max Verstappen has been reduced to just 27 after the Dutch driver enjoyed a perfect weekend of pole, sprint win, fastest lap, and leading every lap en route to his 22nd grand prix victory.

As to moving forward and reassessing his approach to similar situations in the future, Leclerc said: "I saw the opportunity that I didn't think was there before.

"It was very clear to me that third place is what was possible but I saw the opportunity and I still tried it. I went a bit quick in turn 14, took too much kerb and spun.

"All points count and I lost seven points against the 15 we would have had for finishing third.

"Every point is important, I will learn from this for the future. It is the way it is, I will analyse the data, what I've done and I will move on."