Charles Leclerc takes full responsibility for crash with Ferrari F1 team-mate Sebastian Vettel

Charles Leclerc has assumed full responsibility for the collision with Ferrari team-mate Sebastian Vettel on the opening lap of the Styrian Grand Prix that forced both drivers to retire.

I am disappointed in myself. I’m sorry but being sorry is not enough. Seb hasn’t got any faults today. I’ve let the team down after them working a whole week to bring the updates early. Too eager to gain those places in the first lap. I will learn from it.

— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) July 12, 2020

Leclerc, starting in 14th, attempted to overtake Vettel, four places ahead of him on the grid, at the third corner on the opening lap, but instead collided with his team-mate.

The collision saw the rear wing ripped off of Vettel’s car, with the German therefore forced to retire at the end of the first lap.

Leclerc tried to continue following a short car safety period, but eventually ended up joining Vettel in retiring after being unable to continued due to the damage sustained in the incident. 

The Monegasque has now apologised for his role in the collision, saying: ‘I apologised. Excuses are not enough at times like this. I’m disappointed in myself and let the team down.

‘I am sorry even though it’s not enough. We don’t need that, the team doesn’t need that and I’ve put all the plans of the team in the bin.’

The crash marks the second time in four races that the two Ferrari drivers have collided with each other.

Vettel was mostly blamed for the previous incident in Brazil, but now in Austria it was Leclerc who misjudged the corner and caused the incident.

The German finished 10th in last week’s opener in the country after spinning while he duelled for position with McLaren’s Carlos Sainz.

The four-time world champion will leave Ferrari at the end of the season after the Italian team opted against renewing his contract.

Source: dailymail.co.uk; grandprix247.com