F1 News: Charles Leclerc Takes Blame For Shambolic Dutch GP Ferrari Pitstop

Charles Leclerc has confirmed it was his decision to take a last-minute pitstop during the opening stages of the Dutch GP leaving the Ferrari team scrambling to get the tyres.
F1 News: Charles Leclerc Takes Blame For Shambolic Dutch GP Ferrari Pitstop
F1 News: Charles Leclerc Takes Blame For Shambolic Dutch GP Ferrari Pitstop /

Charles Leclerc has admitted to the media that he called for the pitstop at the beginning of the Dutch Grand Prix that left fans hitting out at the Ferrari team. 

As the lights went out in Zandvoort rain began to fall almost immediately. Teams and drivers had to make extremely quick decisions of how to adapt their strategy to cope with this. Fans were left in shock when Leclerc came in to pit for intermediates and the team were left running around for the tyres which weren't ready.

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However, in a post-race interview with the media, the Monegasque driver explained that the pitstop was his call and that he knew he hadn't given the team much notice to get the tyres in place. He commented:

“Yeah, I did call for it in the last corner, so very late.

“But, obviously, looking at the situation in the last corner, I was sure that, even if we had lost five or six seconds at the pitstop, we would have recovered them during one lap, easily.

“So I expected to lose some time. I think we will optimise it as a team, just for the guys to be ready a little bit earlier in those types of situation.

“But, apart from that, I think the right choice.”

Charles Leclerc - Ferrari

Leclerc continued with the race but later sustained damage to his SF-23 which saw him struggle to hold off the drivers behind him. Ultimately, Leclerc was forced to retire from the race. He continued:

“Obviously, already the first lap when I had the damage. I could feel much more than the guys were telling me on the radio. Initially, it was five to 10 points as what I’ve been told.

“Then we realised that it was more than 60. And more than 60 is a different category. So after that, the first lap, it was all uphill.”

Charles Leclerc - Ferrari

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Lydia Mee
LYDIA MEE

Lydia is the lead editor of F1 editorial. After following the sport for several years, she was finally able to attend the British Grand Prix in person in 2017. Since then, she's been addicted to not only the racing, but the atmosphere the fans bring to each event. She's a strong advocate for women in motorsport and a more diverse industry.