Leclerc rejects Russell’s view on controversial Dutch GP incident

Charles Leclerc offered his perspective on the contact with George Russell during the successful overtaking attempt in the Dutch GP, which later led to an investigation.

Shortly before, the Zandvoort stewards issued their verdict on the investigation into the heavy contact between George Russell and Charles Leclerc, with the latter attempting a bold but successful overtake in Turn 11, despite some debris flying off during the clash.

Race control deemed the move a legitimate overtake, with no further action taken, although Leclerc still finished the race with zero points after getting involved in another duel with a different Mercedes driver, Kimi Antonelli.

Asked by GPBlog, among other media, to comment on the incident and give his version of events, the Monegasque stated: ''I was aggressive but we're fighting for a place in the championship, for the constrictor especially.''

''For the drivers' I don't really care, but I will always be aggressive like that. It was on the limit but I knew I wouldn't have many opportunities after that.''

''He defended the inside, I went for the outside. I don't think he expected me to go for the outside and then he did the corner just like if I wasn't there, so then we touched.''

George Russell and Charles Leclerc in Dutch GP

Russell has a different opinion

Pressed again on the same issue, the Mercedes driver believes that Leclerc attempted an overly bold move in that part of the track, that ultimately ruined his race: “I don't think I've ever seen someone attempt to overtake on the outside of that corner, because just following the natural racing line, you end up in the gravel yourself.''

''I didn't push him into the gravel; I was just taking my line. He was obviously slightly off the track. It looks like a cool move, but it kind of ruined my race thereafter. He was off track only by a little bit. Then we had all that damage. I haven't really reviewed it massively, but I'm a bit surprised.”

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