What began as a celebratory weekend for Charles Leclerc and Ferrari ended in dramatic fashion at the Monaco Grand Prix, as the Monegasque driver crashed out following a Safety Car restart and immediately voiced his frustration over team radio.
The race weekend had started on a positive note with the announcement of Charles Leclerc’s new Ferrari contract extension, a deal that reinforced the long-term commitment between the Scuderia and its hometown hero. However, the mood changed completely on Sunday afternoon as Leclerc’s race ended in the barriers at the Anthony Noghes corner.
A nightmare ending for Charles Leclerc in Monaco
At the time of the incident, Charles Leclerc was running third behind Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton. The Safety Car had just been deployed following Lance Stroll’s accident at the same section of the circuit, setting up a tense restart for the closing stages of the race.
As the field prepared to go racing again, Ferrari made the decision to bring both of its drivers into the pits during the neutralisation period. While the move allowed Lewis Hamilton to serve the five-second penalty he had received earlier for speeding in the pit lane during his only scheduled stop, it also had consequences for the Monegasque’s race.
Before the Safety Car period, the Ferrari driver still had a realistic chance of moving ahead of Lewis Hamilton by finishing within five seconds of his teammate. Once both cars stopped under the Safety Car, however, that opportunity effectively disappeared, leaving Leclerc visibly frustrated.
Radio message reveals Ferrari driver’s anger
Moments after crashing into the barriers, Charles Leclerc delivered a remarkably emotional message over team radio.
“I’m not taking the blame, damn brakes.”
The reaction immediately caught attention because the Ferrari driver is usually among the most self-critical competitors on the Formula 1 grid. Throughout his career, Leclerc has rarely hesitated to accept responsibility when mistakes occur, making his comments particularly noteworthy.
His words suggested that he believed a technical factor may have contributed to the accident rather than the crash being solely the result of driver error.
Could the circuit conditions have played a role?
While Ferrari will analyse the data in detail after the race, there may have been another factor contributing to the incidents seen at Anthony Noghes.
Both Lance Stroll and Charles Leclerc crashed at the same location, raising questions about the condition of the track surface. Reports from the circuit indicated that part of the asphalt had broken up in that area, potentially reducing grip and making the corner even more treacherous than usual.
Although it is impossible to determine the exact cause without a full investigation, the condition of the surface may have played a role in both accidents, particularly during a restart situation when tyre and brake temperatures are often far from ideal.
From contract celebration to race-day disappointment
The contrast between the beginning and end of the weekend could hardly have been greater for Charles Leclerc. The contract extension announcement was intended to mark another important chapter in his Ferrari career, while Monaco offered the possibility of a strong result in front of his home fans.
Instead, the race ended with a damaged Ferrari, visible frustration and unanswered questions about what triggered the crash. Ferrari will now be eager to understand exactly what happened, while Leclerc will be looking to move on quickly from one of the most disappointing moments of his 2026 season.
For a driver who dreamed of celebrating success in Monaco, the weekend ultimately turned into a nightmare, ending not with a podium celebration but with a trip into the barriers and a furious radio message heard around the Formula 1 world.
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