Ferrari detail sombre debrief after Leclerc crash

Ewan Gale
Friday 29 July 2022 15:20

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has conceded the mood was "not great" in the team's post-French Grand Prix debrief.

Carlos Sainz had been fastest all weekend at Paul Ricard but engine penalties resulting in a back-of-the-grid start ensured the Spaniard would only finish fifth.

The crash that saw Charles Leclerc drop out from the lead for the third time in the first 12 races provided a hammer blow to the championship hopes of both team and driver as rival Max Verstappen was gifted the victory.

The Monégasque had said after the race that he wanted to be alone in the build-up to this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix but before leaving the circuit, the team had to dive into its post-race analysis.

"The debrief was certainly difficult, the mood was not great," Binotto told Sky Sports F1.

"Charles went home soon after and stayed home really, tried to relax and focus on Hungary.

"He is back, I think he really wants to do well. He has already turned the page with regard to Paul Ricard. He is fast at the moment, he is in great shape and he can win."

Leclerc still believes in title chances

Leclerc did not leave Monaco during the build-up to the Budapest weekend and asked what he got up to, he replied: "I just stayed at home.

"My mum and my brothers came to see me on Monday night, my friends Tuesday night, sport every day and that’s it."

Verstappen's lead over Leclerc now stands at 63 points, with no driver having ever overhauled a championship deficit of more than 44 points to win the title - though the Dutchman has already recovered from a 46-point gap after the opening three rounds.

But asked whether he still thought he could take a maiden championship this season, Leclerc insisted: "I will believe in it until the very end."