Leclerc says early clash with Hamilton at Monza went too far

Charles Leclerc acknowledged that the opening-lap incident with team-mate Lewis Hamilton at the Italian Grand Prix "went too far". Starting fourth, Hamilton moved to the inside of Leclerc into the first chicane and was forced onto the gravel, later telling his race engineer that "Charles pushed me off".

Leclerc, who retired on lap two after a crash at the Parabolica, said he was unsure who was promoting a narrative of rivalry between the Ferrari drivers. He added that the contact in Turn 1 and his attempt to take the tightest line in Turn 2 were insufficient to avoid the incident.

"I don't really know who is forcing that narrative that we are one against the other," Leclerc said.

After the crash, Leclerc visited the medical centre and was quickly cleared, noting only temporary vision impairment in his right eye and typical post-impact soreness. He said further checks would be conducted to ensure he is fit for the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit.

"The neck was OK, it was just the vision a little bit at first, the right eye was not showing me great vision, but now it's all good," he told reporters.

Leclerc dismissed speculation that McLaren driver Oscar Piastri influenced his crash, stating that any power-delivery differences would need to be confirmed by data analysis.

"I wouldn't say that this is the issue. I think from lap one to lap two I had a bit a difference in power delivery," he said.