Ferrari give Leclerc an apology: "Made a mistake clearly"

Charles Leclerc seemed to have a good chance of a podium finish in Monaco after driving the third fastest time in qualifying on Saturday. However, the Ferrari driver received a three-place grid penalty afterwards for holding up Lando Norris. The Monegasque has since received an apology from Ferrari, according to Frederic Vasseur.

Leclerc was on a slow lap and did not realise in the tunnel section that Norris was on a flying lap. The McLaren driver then lost time as Leclerc drove on the ideal line. Something went wrong in the communication between the pit wall and Leclerc and that needs to improve next time, acknowledged the team boss of the Maranello-based racing team.

"Under the tunnel, Charles was not able to see in the mirror where was Norris, and if you tell him after the tunnel he can see where is Norris, and avoid to be on the line. Also, the line under the tunnel is not very clear," said Vasseur. "But we made a mistake clearly and this cost us a lot."

Apologies towards Leclerc

The 55-year-old Frenchman then publicly apologised to Sky Sports. "What can I do else than apologise on behalf of the team and to understand how we can do a better job, and to improve the communication between the pit wall and Charles in this condition, but on both sides. I think it's also due to the circumstances where it's happened, into the tunnel and so on."

Vasseur concludes by saying that Ferrari should avoid making excuses. According to him, that is the worst way if you want to improve.