Leclerc urges Antonelli to 'calm down' after heated radio comments

Charles Leclerc has clarified his fierce radio criticism of fellow Italian Kimi Antonelli during the Miami Sprint, calling his own remarks "a bit too harsh" but still expressing hope that the Mercedes rookie will race more calmly in the future. The Ferrari driver secured a podium finish, while Antonelli's fourth place was demoted to sixth after a time penalty.

Why it matters:

The exchange highlights the growing tension and close racing between a seasoned race winner and F1's most hyped rookie. As the only Italian drivers on the grid, their rivalry carries extra weight for fans and could define many midfield battles this season. Leclerc's public plea for calmer conduct puts direct pressure on the 19-year-old Antonelli to refine his aggressive wheel-to-wheel approach.

The details:

• The incident occurred early in the 19-lap Sprint race after Leclerc passed Antonelli, who suffered another poor start reportedly due to a Mercedes "glitch."
• Over team radio, an exasperated Leclerc said: "Kimi is so bad in wheel-to-wheel. He moved under braking. It's unbelievable. We're going to crash!"
• Leclerc later clarified the comments were made in the heat of battle, fueled by adrenaline, and admitted they were overly harsh.
• However, he stood by his underlying concern, stating their past on-track moments have been "a little bit too close for comfort and not really needed."
• Antonelli crossed the line in fourth but received a five-second time penalty for repeated track limits violations, dropping him to sixth in the final classification.
• Leclerc emphasized his personal liking for Antonelli but wished their intense battles were "with someone else."

Looking ahead:

This public airing of grievances sets the stage for their next on-track encounter. Antonelli, known for his raw speed and aggression, will need to balance that with racecraft to avoid further penalties and criticism from established drivers. For Leclerc and Ferrari, managing this intra-Italian rivalry—both its risks and its potential to galvanize fan support—will be a subplot to watch as the season develops.