In an unfortunate development, this season’s upside has faded greatly for Monaco’s Charles Leclerc. While reaching four podiums since the beginning of the year, the Ferrari driver had to forfeit on the German circuit after an exit on the 29th lap. Too bad for him as he was in the midst of an impressive comeback… The only consolation prize for Ferrari: the second place obtained by Sebastian Vettel, who began in the last position.
The weekend did not start well with a tenth place on the starting grid, and it ended poorly with a run-off in the last corner of the 29th lap… Charles Leclerc will not retain a fond memory of his stint in Germany. And yet, everything began so well. After an improbable start to the race due to the rain and the intervention of the safety car, the favorites were quickly thrown off balance.
Second, and then…
The Monegasque driver took advantage of the circumstances and made a good comeback, notably by negotiating a pit stop perfectly on the 16th lap. Second in the race, he finally lost control of his Ferrari on the Hockenheim track, which was also brutal to Lewis Hamilton and many other favorites. The big winner was Max Verstappen (Red Bull). An intelligent and opportunistic driver, the Dutchman registered his second victory of the season after his win at the Austrian Grand Prix.
For Charles Leclerc, who said after the race that he regretted the error, he will have to put it behind him quickly and look forward to the Hungarian Grand Prix… The good news is that it’s next Sunday!
*Article originally published in the French edition of the Monaco Tribune.