Leclerc Points Finger at Antonelli After Brazilian GP Retirement

Charles Leclerc was eliminated from the Brazilian GP after a Lap 6 clash involving Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri, leading to a frustrating double retirement for Ferrari. While race stewards penalized Piastri, Leclerc believes Antonelli shares equal blame for the incident that ended his race and severely impacted Ferrari's Constructors' Championship hopes.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's double retirement at Interlagos, which also saw Lewis Hamilton withdraw, marks a significant setback for the Scuderia. This incident directly affects their battle for second place in the Constructors' Championship, where they are now trailing Mercedes and Red Bull with only three races and one sprint remaining. For Leclerc, it's a missed opportunity to capitalize on early strong form and contribute crucial points.

The details:

• The Incident: On Lap 6, Oscar Piastri attempted an overtake on Kimi Antonelli. Piastri's car made contact with Antonelli, who then slid sideways and tagged Leclerc's front-left wheel, forcing the Ferrari driver to retire.
• Stewards' Verdict: Race officials deemed Piastri at fault, handing him a 10-second time penalty and two penalty points. They cited that Piastri did not satisfy racing guidelines for overtaking on the inside of a corner, specifically regarding the positioning of his front axle alongside the outside car's mirror and maintaining a 'fully controlled' manner.
• Leclerc's View: Despite the official ruling, Leclerc stated, "For me, it's a bit of a 50:50 incident; Oscar being optimistic, Kimi doing the corner like Oscar was never there. That means they collided and touched me." He expressed frustration, particularly as Ferrari fights for second in the Constructors' Championship.
• Ferrari's Impact: Both Leclerc and Hamilton, who suffered early floor damage, retired from the race. This resulted in zero points for Ferrari, while Mercedes and McLaren scored 43 points each, and Red Bull added 20.

The big picture:

Ferrari's double DNF in Brazil has reshuffled the Constructors' standings at a critical juncture in the season. Mercedes now sits with 398 points, followed by Red Bull (366) and Ferrari (362). With limited races left, every point is crucial, and incidents like this significantly hinder a team's championship aspirations. Leclerc's comments highlight the intense pressure and the fine margins at play when multiple cars battle for position, especially when championship stakes are high.

What's next:

Ferrari will need to regroup quickly for the remaining races to try and salvage their position in the Constructors' Championship. The incident will likely be a topic of discussion as teams prepare for the final stretch of the season, and the consequences of multi-car incidents will continue to be scrutinized. For Leclerc, overcoming this disappointment will be key as he aims to finish the season strongly.