Leclerc and Vettel clear the air after Styrian GP F1 clash

Ferrari Formula 1 teammates Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel say they have moved on from their clash during last weekend’s Styrian Grand Prix.

The duo collided on the opening lap of the race as Leclerc tried an over-ambitious lunge into Turn 3 but mounted the rear of Vettel’s car, leaving the German’s rear-wing hanging by a thread.

Vettel was forced into an immediate retirement, before Leclerc joined him on the sidelines just a lap later after sustaining significant floor damage. Leclerc initially said he “let the team down” and apologised to his Ferrari teammate for the coming together.

Asked by Crash.net whether both drivers had moved on from the incident, Leclerc replied: “Yes, I think we’ve put it behind us.

“I directly went to talk to Seb after the race to excuse myself and I think he accepted then. It is now behind us.

“From my side I will focus on this weekend and try to ensure the best result possible.”

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto described the pair’s second crash in four races as the “worst conclusion of a very bad and difficult weekend” for the team.

Vettel echoed his teammate’s comments, saying: “There is not that much to add.

“These things are the worst thing that can happen. If two cars of the same colour come together, it’s something we try to avoid.

“But you are racing and this is also something which is unfortunately part of it.

“We spoke about it, it’s behind us and a couple days later we have a chance to do better here in Hungary.”