Charles Leclerc’s frustration boiled over during a hugely disappointing Austrian Grand Prix, with the Ferrari driver delivering several emotional team radio messages as his race unraveled.
A frustrating afternoon for Charles Leclerc
Starting from second on the grid, Charles Leclerc had already sounded less than optimistic after qualifying. Despite securing a front-row start, the Monegasque admitted that his main objective for the weekend was simply to complete a clean race, suggesting he still lacked complete confidence in the overall package.
Unfortunately for Ferrari, Sunday’s race only reinforced those concerns. After initially battling near the front, Charles Leclerc steadily slipped backwards through the field as rivals found more pace during the various phases of the race.
The Ferrari driver eventually crossed the finish line in eighth place after being overtaken repeatedly throughout the afternoon. Lewis Hamilton passed him three times during different strategy phases, while Kimi Antonelli got by twice. Oscar Piastri also overtook him on two occasions, with Isack Hadjar and Lando Norris adding to Charles Leclerc’s misery in the closing stages.
It proved to be an exhausting and deeply frustrating race for the 28-year-old, whose lack of pace became increasingly evident as the Grand Prix progressed.
Leclerc’s heated team radio messages
As frustration reached its peak shortly before his final pit stop, Charles Leclerc twice exclaimed over the radio: “These tyres are f***ed.”
A few laps later, his verdict on the Ferrari SF-26 was even more direct.
“This car is terrible.”
One final mystery remains from the Austrian Grand Prix. During the in-lap after taking the chequered flag, Charles Leclerc exchanged messages with his race engineer, but that section of the team radio was not broadcast, leaving fans wondering what was said after such a difficult afternoon for the Ferrari driver.
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