In-Car Audio Captures F1 Driver Charles LeClerc’s Reaction to Scary Crash at Monza

In Monday’s Hot Clicks: an F1 driver goes head-first into the wall, how MLB teams generate fake crowd noise and more.

“It was a big crash. F--!”

Usually when you see a headline about a frightening crash in auto racing, you expect to see a car go spinning like a top or get tossed like a leaf in the wind. Ferrari F1 driver Charles LeClerc’s wreck at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday was scary for an entirely different reason. 

LeClerc lost control coming around a curve and just collided head-first with the outside barrier. It looked absolutely brutal. Incredibly, LeClerc was unharmed in the collision. He wasn’t just able to walk away from the crash—he actually jogged off.

Equally impressive was LeClerc’s subdued reaction to his death-defying moment. The video of the crash Formula 1 shared on YouTube included audio of his communications with his race team. LeClerc could be heard saying, “That was a big crash. F---!”

The censored and edited version of the audio doesn’t paint the full picture, though. Another YouTube clip features more audio of LeClerc’s radio in the moments surrounding the crash. It gives a better sense of just how sudden the impact was, and how calm everyone remained after the crash. 

“Are you OK?” a member of his crew asked, with only the slightest bit of concern. 

The extended audio also includes a bunch more cursing from LeClerc, but you get the sense that it’s because he’s upset about having crashed out of the race, not because he’s in pain. At one point, LeClerc even apologized for crashing. 

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Around the sports world

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This was incredibly moving from Kirk Herbstreit

This is one of the most extraordinary moments in the history of College GameDay pic.twitter.com/7wW1CGP64j

— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) September 5, 2020

The Bucks are toast if Giannis is unavailable or even limited

Giannis Antetokounmpo re-injured his ankle and after shooting two free throws, left the court. pic.twitter.com/CUNpWnrVKH

— ESPN (@espn) September 6, 2020

Pretty sweet gig

Philadelphia is signing 41-year-old QB Josh McCown to its practice squad and making him oldest practice squad player in NFL history, league sources tell ESPN. McCown will live in Texas, make $12,000 a week and serve as the Eagles’ emergency QB.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 6, 2020

“Fan” interference with no spectators in the stands

I mean ... this says it all. “Fan interference” in an empty ballpark. pic.twitter.com/gwryJ0k50p

— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) September 6, 2020

It’s a Cinderella story

Bill Murray is expected to sign with the Patriots practice squad, per source.

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That little guy got lucky

Patrick Corbin, nearly Randy Johnson'ing a Butterfly. ☠️🦋 pic.twitter.com/uRmtaAOvwX

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 6, 2020

Making a Harambe reference in 2020 is so exceptionally lame

#RIPHarambe if you want a chance to own my game worn, signed, authenticated Harambe cleats from tonight’s game, pick up something from https://t.co/RSoK5n9sWd by midnight tomorrow (sept 5) for a chance to win them! pic.twitter.com/HkuvqZcMeM

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Mychal Thompson googled “Klay Thompson parents” and took a picture of his computer screen to find an old photo of him with his son

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— Mychal Thompson (@champagnennuts) September 5, 2020

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo got ejected from the third deck

Tough break, Rudy

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— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) September 4, 2020

I’ve never seen a golf ball get stuck in the flag

Not sports

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Incredible artwork at a train station in Japan

Science!

The climate is very normal

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Over 50 hummingbirds trying to beat the heat in Southern California by finding some shade

A good song

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