Charles Leclerc admits: “I race with heart and take risks – I can’t accept starting 11th”. Charles Leclerc reflects on his aggressive comeback at Imola.

A brilliant race
Starting from 11th on the grid at Imola, where overtaking is notoriously difficult, Charles Leclerc’s race was certainly an uphill battle. But the Monegasque Ferrari driver showed plenty of courage and heart, and only some unfortunate timing with the Virtual Safety Car and the full Safety Car prevented him from finishing higher than sixth.

Risk is part of the job
“It was a race where you had to drive with heart and elbows out, and sometimes you push to the limit,” Charles Leclerc explained to reporters after the race which was held at the 4.909-kilometre Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, adding: “As a driver, if I’m in 11th, I can’t accept the situation we’re in, so I take risks.”

And Charles Leclerc did push to the limit—first in a battle with Pierre Gasly’s Alpine, who ended up in the gravel while trying to stay ahead, and later with Alex Albon’s Williams in the final stages. The latter incident was heavily debated, as the FIA had placed it under investigation, and Ferrari, to avoid any penalties, advised Leclerc to cautiously give the position back. “I was ahead going into the corner, I knew it would be tough, but I tried to hold the position. I don’t know if I crossed the line. If I made a mistake, I’ll talk to Alex, but I don’t think that’s the case,” said Charles Leclerc.