Charles Leclerc: Monza Podium Battle "Paid the Price"

Charles Leclerc Laments Price Paid for Monza Podium Hunt

Why it matters: Charles Leclerc believes his intense early battle with Oscar Piastri at the Italian Grand Prix severely compromised his race performance, ultimately costing him a stronger finish at Ferrari's home race.

The Details:

• Leclerc initially overtook Piastri for third place at the first corner, but the positions quickly swapped back.
• The fierce battle between the two drivers continued for several laps, with Piastri ultimately securing third place definitively on lap six.
• During these skirmishes, Leclerc locked up his tires on multiple occasions, leading to significant overheating.
• Leclerc stated, "Unfortunately, very quickly I managed to overheat all of my tyres and I paid the price for the 10 laps after."
• While his pace did recover later in the stint, the damage from the early tire wear meant he struggled to make up ground.

The Big Picture:

• Leclerc acknowledged that Ferrari lacked overall pace compared to their rivals, even at their home circuit, Monza.
• Despite an impressive qualifying lap, he felt the team maximized their potential given the car's performance.

What's Next:

• Leclerc conceded there was little more he or the team could have done, stating, "Red Bull and McLaren were just too strong." The focus now shifts to finding improvements for upcoming races.