Charles Leclerc gives verdict on Turn 3 collision with Lance Stroll in Melbourne

Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc cut a wholly frustrated figure after colliding with Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and spinning out of the 2023 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix – but the Ferrari man did not want to blame the Canadian.

Charles started the 2023 Australian Grand Prix from P7 seventh on the grid and behind Lance Stroll at the Albert Park circuit, as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen lost the lead of the race to George Russell at turn 1, but soon regained the lead following a red flag that was brought out by Alex Albon’s Lap 7 crash.

“I’m not pointing the finger at Lance because I think he had no choice once Fernando [Alonso] slowed down the car the second time, and for me it was just impossible to see whether Lance was staying behind Fernando or if he was just in between… I obviously didn’t think he was there,” explained Charles Leclerc after his race ended on lap 1 in Australia.

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“Turn 1, I took it easy; Turn 3 I wasn’t really planning an overtake at first on Lance. Then I saw that he had to brake very early because of Fernando in front that was braking early. So, I released the brakes and put myself alongside Lance, and then Fernando had to brake even more – so then Lance found himself between me and Fernando – and he couldn’t turn in, and we had contact. Just extremely frustrating; I mean, it’s the worst start to the season ever, really… it is really frustrating. At the moment I don’t have long-term goals for this season. We have to think about finishing race by race without taking penalties and having problems. These are the priorities at this historic moment. I don’t usually take long breaks when things go wrong. We have to work to improve the car. Carlos is showing good pace today, we hope to do better and better.” – Charles Leclerc explained.