Vasseur (Ferrari) Thanks Antonelli’s Apology After Leclerc Clash

Fred Vasseur Thanks Kimi Antonelli’s Apology After Accident at Dutch Grand Prix

Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur welcomed the apologies of Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli after the incident that caused Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to crash into the wall at the Dutch Grand Prix. Leclerc, who had exited the pits ahead of Antonelli, was hit by the latter in a tight corner, losing control of his single-seater. Leclerc, who was aiming for a podium finish, had to settle for watching the end of the race from a dune.

“He came to apologize to Charles. Charles wasn’t there, but he came to me. And, honestly, I appreciate it,” commented Vasseur.

Fred Vasseur

Vasseur added that the incident was the result of a risk taken by Antonelli on a complicated track for overtaking.

Leclerc downplayed the incident, considering it a common mistake on a difficult track for overtaking.

“I wouldn’t describe it as a rookie mistake. I think it’s a mistake that can happen in the first or fifth year,” Leclerc said. “On a track like this, you have to be aggressive [to overtake], but that was too much.”

Charles Leclerc

Leclerc’s accident occurred in the same place where Lewis Hamilton, his teammate, had previously crashed, on a track that had become slippery due to the rain. It was the first time that neither of the Ferrari drivers scored points since their double disqualification at the Chinese Grand Prix in March.

The situation worsened for Ferrari when Hamilton received a five-place grid penalty for the Monza race, the team’s home Grand Prix, for failing to slow down under yellow flags during the formation lap. Leclerc, for his part, avoided a penalty for a collision with George Russell, which was considered a racing incident by the stewards. Antonelli’s promising career, which has not been in its best form, finished outside the points for the seventh time in nine grands prix. This was due to a 10-second penalty for the collision with Leclerc and another five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane. “I felt good in the car and it’s a shame to have failed,” declared the 19-year-old Italian driver to Sky Sports. “Regarding the contact, it’s obviously my fault. I tried to avoid it, especially when I saw him coming back in front, but it wasn’t enough. So, obviously, I’m sorry for Charles and for the team, and now we look forward.”