2020 continues to worsen for Ferrari after Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel collided on the opening lap of the Styrian GP.
Charles finished P2 in the season-opening race here at the Red Bull Ring, though when the Monegasque driver was eliminated in Q2 at the same venue ahead of the Styrian GP, the second time that has happened to Ferrari this season, it was clear that the Scuderia are still seriously lacking pace.
Sebastian started from P10, whilst thanks to a penalty Charles was moving away from the grid in P14. And on the run up to Turn 3 Charles had a look down the inside of his team-mate, shortly before the pair collided. Leclerc launched his SF1000 over the kerbs into Sebastian Vettel’s car, though the four-time World Champion closed the door on Charles after being squeezed by the Haas of Kevin Magnussen.
Heavy damage to the side and rear wing for Sebastian Vettel’s car meant he was forced to retire when both drivers came into the pits, whilst Leclerc was forced to call time on his afternoon on Lap 5 due to the damage. The incident may well prove extra costly for Ferrari since they were trying to gather data on the new floor and other upgrades that they had brought to the race.
“Today I fucked it up. I apologized to Seb. Obviously, excuses are not enough in times like these and I am just disappointed in myself. I have done a very bad job today. I let the team down! “I can only be sorry and I know it will be not enough. But I will learn from this and comeback stronger. It’s a hard time for the team and we don’t need that. All the efforts of the team are in the bin. I am very sorry.” – Charles Leclerc said.
“I apologised,” Leclerc told the media after his brief chat with Vettel. Obviously, excuses are not enough in times like this, I am just disappointed in myself. I have done a very bad job. I let the team down. Yeah, I can only be sorry, even though I know it is not enough. I hope I will learn from this and will come back stronger for the next races. But it is a tough time for the team. We don’t need that. The team doesn’t need that. And I put all the efforts of the team in the bin.”
Starting P14 to Vettel’s P10, the Monégasque driver admits he was too optimistic in his move.
“Yes, yes I was,” he said.
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