Leclerc criticizes the race direction: “I’m not mad at Russell. Surprised that only the yellow flag was displayed”

F1 Austria Qualifying, Leclerc starts from P2 At the Red Bull Ring Charles Leclerc savored for a few seconds that pole position number 28 that he has been chasing for 10 months. However, the Monegasque’s best time was beaten, in an excited and questionable final, by George Russell. It’s difficult to say whether Max Verstappen’s accident helped or hindered Leclerc (with the Dutchman and Kimi Antonelli improving, the Ferrari driver risked second row), it certainly set the table for Russell’s pole. It is normal, however, that in the heat of the race the Monegasque is surprised by the race direction’s decision not to immediately display the double yellow flag for the turn 9 accident. Leclerc’s words “I’m not angry with George and I’m not angry with anyone. There was a yellow flag and he slowed down enough, we can’t do anything about it. I’m surprised that this accident only resulted in a yellow flag”, this is his comment to Sky Sport F1. “I didn’t see the accident but I saw Max’s car and obviously it was a significant bang. We should maybe discuss this.” “Happy? Let’s say I’m a little more satisfied,” he added. “In the end, even in this qualifying the feeling wasn’t that of a day in which I know I’ll go fast. I still don’t have this feeling because the last two weekends didn’t go well due to various problems, you carry this with you into a weekend. I just wanted a clean weekend and so in Q3 you don’t go for a lap where you have a 30% chance that it won’t work.”

Automobile Magazine – Formula1 English, News

2026-06-28 02:56:00