Leclerc refuses to take blame for Monaco crash as Ferrari brake issues spark safety concerns

The Monegasque driver, who has built a reputation for taking responsibility when things go wrong, was unusually defiant when discussing the cause of his accident. Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Leclerc made it clear he would not accept any blame for the crash, pointing instead to a persistent braking problem that has affected him over recent races.

Asked what caused the incident, Leclerc gave a blunt response: "Brakes. It doesn't help to have asphalt that is coming off but data speaks for itself."

The Ferrari driver stressed that he has never been one to hide behind excuses after mistakes. However, he felt the circumstances surrounding this crash were fundamentally different.

According to Leclerc, the problem stems from an alarming inconsistency in brake performance. He revealed that the front and rear brakes were behaving in completely different ways, making the car extremely difficult to predict under braking.

Leclerc, who came into the weekend with a new Ferrari deal, revealed that the issue is not unique to Monaco and has been troubling him since the Canadian Grand Prix. While he admitted Ferrari's two drivers have been running different brake configurations, he does not believe that had previously put him at a disadvantage.

However, Monaco's low grip conditions and cold tyre temperatures exposed the problem in dramatic fashion.

The frustration in Leclerc's comments was evident, particularly when discussing the public perception of the crash.

Despite the criticism, Leclerc suggested Ferrari has already identified a solution. The eight-time Grand Prix winner revealed he will switch to a brake setup closer to team-mate Lewis Hamilton's specification from the next race onwards.

Ferrari will now hope the change can eliminate one of the key concerns affecting Leclerc's confidence as the team looks to strengthen its position in the championship battle.