Leclerc on Verstappen: "I don't want to win with my rival having a DNF"

Charles Leclerc drove unchallenged to victory in the Australian Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen was on his way to the maximum possible result, second place, but he crashed out again due to technical problems with his RB18. After the race, Leclerc said he was sorry that his rival had to end like that.

Leclerc wants to win in a fair fight

Speaking to Canal+, Leclerc says he regrets that Verstappen could not finish the race. "I don't want to win with my rival having a DNF," he says. The Monegasque doesn't have to worry about that now, because without Verstappen's failure he would almost certainly have won the race as well.

He hopes to make a habit of these victories. Especially now that he is heading to Imola as championship leader, where the frenzied tifosi are waiting for him. "I can't wait to go to Imola, it's the first time I'm coming to Italy as championship leader," said the Ferrari driver.

For Verstappen, it marked his second retirement in three races, while Leclerc won two of the three races. Red Bull Racing therefore has a lot of work to do to ensure that the team can catch up with Ferrari.