Leclerc Explains Pitlane Collision with Norris in Singapore FP2

Charles Leclerc attributed the pitlane collision with Lando Norris during a chaotic Singapore Grand Prix Free Practice 2 to "a bit of confusion" within the Ferrari garage. The incident, which saw Norris's McLaren clip Leclerc's Ferrari and hit the pitwall, highlighted the rush to get on track after multiple red flags.

Why it matters:

This pitlane mishap, though minor in impact, underscores the high-pressure environment of F1 practice sessions, especially when drivers are scrambling for track time after disruptions. For Ferrari, it also brings into focus the need for impeccable communication, particularly as they seek to maximize performance and avoid unnecessary penalties or damage in crucial race weekends.

The details:

• The incident occurred in the final 20 minutes of FP2, following the second red flag of the session.
• Ferrari released Leclerc directly into the path of Norris, who was also exiting his garage.
• Norris's McLaren made contact with the Ferrari and subsequently hit the pitwall, resulting in damage to its front wing.
• Leclerc continued onto the track, while Norris's car required attention.
• Leclerc's Explanation: He stated, "It was a bit of confusion with the two McLarens going out. It looked like they were going out at the same time. So he [his mechanic] thought that they would go out a bit slow, and so I didn't have the message to stop. On these cases, you kind of rely on the team."
• He also noted the "tricky moment" with red flags causing everyone to rush for laps.

The big picture:

Despite the pitlane incident, Leclerc finished ninth in FP2 but had shown strong pace earlier, securing second in FP1. This suggests that Ferrari's car has underlying speed, but execution and clear communication are paramount, particularly in congested and disrupted sessions like those seen in Singapore.

What's next:

Ferrari will need to review the pitlane protocol to prevent similar incidents, especially with qualifying and the race ahead. With McLaren showing strong pace in FP2, Ferrari's focus will be on translating their promising FP1 performance into consistent speed and avoiding further operational missteps to challenge for strong results in what is shaping up to be a tight battle at Marina Bay.