Leclerc: "Magnussen is, and will always be, stupid”

Charles Leclerc has not held back in his assessment of Kevin Magnussen after the two made contact in the early stages of the Japanese Grand Prix. Magnussen moved late to block a move by Leclerc on the pit straight which resulted in damage for both cars and eventually forcing the Haas driver to retire from the race.

Leclerc looked to have a move lined up on Magnussen however, with a late move to block after the Sauber driver had committed to one side, the Dane damaged the front wing of the Sauber man as well as floor and diffuser damage for himself.

Speaking after the race, Leclerc made his feelings clear on the incident, blaming Magnussen for the damage which took him out of the race.

“Magnussen is, and will always be, stupid,” he said.

“For me, there was a similar situation with Kimi and Max… in Spa, where Max moved at the really last moment and everyone agreed that it was dangerous to do that and that it was not allowed anymore.

"But strangely it has been accepted today so I will have to get some response on that (from the stewards) to just know what I can do in the car.”

Leclerc went on to retire from the race himself with a peculiar failure which forced him out of the race on lap 40.

“For me, it was quite fun to do a lot of overtaking, so this was good to see. But it's a shame about the end.”