Charles Leclerc enjoyed a competitive Free Practice 1 at the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, but later had his day spoiled by a collision with Lando Norris in the pits.
Leclerc finished second to Fernando Alonso in Friday’s first session, in Singapore, but cited a “messy” FP2 for his P9 result, with team-mate Lewis Hamilton finishing tenth.
Two red flags disrupted the session, and in anticipation of the season restarting for a third time, sent Leclerc out of the garage, colliding with the McLaren of Norris in the pits.
The FIA announced that they will fine Ferrari €10,000 for the misdemeanour, while Leclerc will face no further punishment over the incident.
Speaking to the media after FP2, the Monegasque lifted the lid on the confusion which caused his crash with the McLaren driver.
“I think it was a bit of confusion with the two McLaren going out and it looked like they were going out at the same time. So, he [Leclerc’s mechanic] thought that they will go out a bit slower and so I didn’t have the message to stop.”
Leclerc highlighted the need to rely on the team when being released from the garage but admitted that “these things happen,”
“On these kind of cases, you kind of rely on the team, but I mean, these kind of things happen and it was also in a tricky moment because with all the red flags, everybody was so in a rush to get out to do some laps.
“It’s a combination of things. It’s not something you want, but these things happen.”
Concluding on his day as a whole, the eight-time Grand Prix winner hopes to come back stronger on Saturday.
“Good FP1, very difficult FP2. Yeah, it’s been just a very messy FP2 with the traffic and with the red flags and with the pit lane incident, so lots of things going on, which haven’t been very positive.”
“But we’ll reset and come back some more stronger. I think pace is in the car, so that’s a good thing.”
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