Charles Leclerc recalls tense start: “I could only pray that Verstappen and Hamilton gave me space” | Mexico GP. Charles Leclerc described the tense moments at the start of the race.

The Ferrari driver explained during the post-race press conference what he experienced in those intense and nerve-racking moments at the start.

A breathtaking start

It was a heart-stopping launch when four cars approached Turn 1 almost side by side. From right to left – in the order of direction – Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Max Verstappen all arrived virtually wheel to wheel at the braking zone at the end of the main straight after the lights went out.

Both Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc went off at the chicane, cutting across the corner. The Red Bull driver then let the other cars pass, rejoining the track in fourth place. Charles Leclerc, on the other hand, managed to stay ahead and hold on to second position, effectively gaining a place on Lewis Hamilton through that shortcut.

The race stewards decided not to take any action against Charles Leclerc, and Ferrari’s pit wall also chose not to intervene. During the post-race press conference, the Monegasque driver vividly described what those hectic seconds felt like from the cockpit.

“I didn’t like it at all. Usually, I really enjoy wheel-to-wheel racing, but this time, being between Lewis and Max, it was one of those situations where, as a driver, you can’t really do much,” said Charles Leclerc. “I could only pray that Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton would leave me enough space to make it through the corner.”

Charles Leclerc went on to explain that there was light contact during the action: “I slightly touched Lewis. Then I had very little grip on the outside, so I had no choice but to cut the corner. Luckily for all three of us, there were no major consequences.” – the Monegasque driver concluded at the end of the 2025 Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix.