Why Leclerc getting biggest Dutch GP call right is important for Ferrari's F1 future

By:

Alex Kalinauckas

Aug 30, 2023, 8:54 AM

OPINION: Charles Leclerc had a horrendous 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, which led to plenty of online criticism of the Monegasque driver. But although he made mistakes at Zandvoort, the race contained a moment of brilliance that should in fact boost both he and Ferrari

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"I don't regret that late call."

Charles Leclerc was speaking to the media mid-Dutch Grand Prix, his race ended after 41 frustrating laps. His rivals were charging onwards towards the late red flag stoppage, but even in his absence Leclerc had become one of the biggest talking points of the weekend.

After his Q3 crash, Leclerc had started ninth and was chasing Red Bull’s Sergio Perez when the pair both dived for the pitlane the first time by at the start. The rain was coming down ever harder and both made the same bold decision.

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Alex Kalinauckas

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Alex Kalinauckas is Autosport's Grand Prix Editor, covering every Formula 1 race since the start of 2020. After completing a master's degree in journalism at Goldsmiths College University of London in 2014, he worked for a range of motorsport and technology publications while covering national racing as an Autosport freelancer.

A lifelong motorsport fan - no one in his family can explain quite how or why such a development first occurred - Alex joined the Autosport staff in April 2017 as the magazine’s Assistant Editor covering Formula 2 and GP3, before being made Formula E correspondent and Autosport.com’s Plus Editor in March 2018. He lives in north-east London and is constantly frustrated by the Central Line.