Charles Leclerc has angrily rejected suggestions of a growing rivalry with Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton after their dramatic clash at the Italian Grand Prix.
The pair started alongside each other on the second row at Monza, raising hopes that Ferrari could deliver a memorable result in front of their passionate home supporters.
However, the relationship between the team-mates came under immediate scrutiny following a chaotic opening-corner battle.
Both drivers made strong starts before Hamilton drew alongside Leclerc approaching the Variante del Rettifilo.
The seven-time world champion attempted to overtake around the inside of Turn One, but Leclerc resisted and secured the inside line for the second part of the chicane.
Hamilton remained beside the Monegasque but was forced towards the edge of the circuit when Leclerc held his position and left him without sufficient space.
Two wheels travelled onto the gravel, causing Hamilton to lose several places during a hugely damaging opening lap.
The Briton was furious over the incident and believed his team-mate had forced him off the track while they competed for third position.
Charles Leclerc has angrily rejected suggestions of a growing rivalry with Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton after their dramatic clash at the Italian Grand Prix
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However, Leclerc’s driving was permitted under Formula One’s racing guidelines. A driver attempting to overtake around the outside must be ahead at the apex to earn the right to be given racing room.
The confrontation nevertheless fuelled speculation about the dynamic between Ferrari’s two star drivers, particularly after strategic confusion at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Leclerc delayed a requested pit stop at Zandvoort despite Hamilton running directly behind him because he believed Ferrari’s proposed strategy would damage his own race.
That episode prompted questions about cooperation inside the team, but Leclerc insists the situation has been exaggerated.
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“I don’t really know who is forcing that narrative that we are one against the other,” he said.
“I mean, honestly, Zandvoort, there was way too many talks already.”
Although Leclerc dismissed talk of a personal battle with Hamilton, he conceded their Monza confrontation had crossed a line.
The 28-year-old was particularly disappointed that it happened during Ferrari’s home Grand Prix, with thousands of the team’s supporters watching from the stands.
“Here, it’s true though that we went too far,” Leclerc admitted.
“I think Lewis in Turn 1, then Turn 2, I tried to do the tightest corner possible, but that was just not enough – and doing it here is not good.”
Charles Leclerc’s Italian Grand Prix came to an early end on Sunday
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The incident was made even more painful for Ferrari when Leclerc crashed out on the following lap.
He lost control while battling McLaren’s Oscar Piastri through the high-speed Curva Parabolica before travelling across the gravel and hitting the tyre barrier.
Hamilton continued but could only recover to finish sixth, completing a miserable afternoon for Ferrari at the circuit where expectations are always highest.
The Briton sits third in thee standings, with Leclerc down in fifth.
