On a night when Max Verstappen claimed his fourth consecutive F1 title, the race for the constructors championship heated up as Ferrari closed the gap on McLaren with a 3-4 finish. However, all didn’t go as planned for the Prancing Horses as Charles Leclerc was unhappy with the strategy of the team which spoiled his race.
After starting in P4, Leclerc managed to overtake Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz in turn 1 of the first lap and looked on course to hunt down the leader George Russell. Leclerc battled for the lead in the early stages of the Las Vegas GP but overworked his tires, prompting him to let teammate Carlos Sainz pass.
Before the second round of pit stops, Sainz returned the favor by letting Leclerc through, but the Spaniard’s earlier pit stop allowed him to undercut his teammate. As Sainz appeared on the back of Monagasque, he was given assurance that Sainz would not put him under pressure and would hold his position.
“Carlos has been told to not overtake but it’s really close, he might be just in front,” Bozzi said. He then gave him another message: “He has been told to not put you under pressure so just take care of your tyres.”
However, the Spaniard didn’t abide the team orders and passed Leclerc, much to the frustration of the Monagasque. A momentary burst of static crackled over the radio as Leclerc seemingly activated and then quickly deactivated his radio.
“Maybe try in Spanish” Leclerc said while referring to Sainz.
The exchange between Leclerc and Bozzi began with the customary instruction to collect rubber on his tires during the in-lap to the pits. By the end of the conversation, Leclerc seemed to notice he had accidentally left his radio channel open.
Bozzi: “Pick up, please.”
Leclerc: “Yes. Whatever you want. As always.”
Bozzi: “Charles, you did your job, OK. Thank you.”
Leclerc: “Yeah. [laughing] Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I did my job, but being nice f—s me over all the f—ing time, all the f—ing time. It’s not even being nice, it’s just being respectful. I know I need to shut up but…”
Bozzi: “Charles, Charles….”
Leclerc: “…At one point it’s always the same. So. Ahhh my f—ing God.”
Bryan: “OK. But anyway… you did the right thing for the team. And pick up please.”
Leclerc: “Yeah, yeah. F—ing pick up what the f— we want. And the radio is on. I’m sorry. That was, not me.”
Bryan : and pick up please.
🆑 : Fucking pick up what the fuck you want. And the radio is on, I am sorry.
Charles' frustration in the last scene is… pic.twitter.com/WRHKHoSQhZ
— 에클레어 (@sharr__leclerc) November 24, 2024
The onboard camera captured Leclerc striking his steering wheel with both hands as he made his way back to the pits. After the race, Leclerc kept his comments on the incident brief.
Read More: Max Verstappen Secures Fourth World Title as George Russell Wins Las Vegas GP
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
