Charles Leclerc has revealed the cause behind his bizarre radio call to Ferrari during the Australian Grand Prix. The Monégasque driver reported that his seat was “full of water” during the wet Melbourne race, but engineer Bryan Bozzi was initially puzzled by the message.
Leclerc’s radio call sparked confusion, with Bozzi responding, “It must be the water then.” Leclerc dryly replied that it would be something to add to the “words of wisdom” as he went on to finish a disappointing eighth for Ferrari.
Reflecting on the radio call before this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix, Leclerc explained that the issue was caused by his drinks bottle. “It was an inside joke,” Leclerc told media. “But obviously nobody could understand it from the outside. It is something with my engineer.”
Leclerc finished ahead of Lewis Hamilton in the Australian Grand Prix, but flatly rejected the idea that it was a “consolation” following Ferrari’s poor performance. “It is definitely not a consolation,” he added. “To be starting seventh and eighth, and to finish seventh and 10th or seventh and ninth, I don’t remember, we were both very disappointed by the result because we wanted to be fighting for the podium or win.”
Leclerc’s comments come as Ferrari looks to bounce back from a disappointing start to the season. The team recorded eighth and 10th-place finishes in the Australian Grand Prix, and will be looking to improve their performance in the Chinese Grand Prix.
The Chinese Grand Prix takes place this weekend, with practice sessions scheduled for Friday and qualifying on Saturday. The race itself will take place on Sunday, with Leclerc and Ferrari looking to secure a better result than they achieved in Melbourne.
In other news, Eddie Jordan, the former Formula 1 team owner, has passed away aged 76 following a cancer battle. Jordan was a well-known figure in the F1 paddock, and his team, Jordan Grand Prix, achieved significant success in the 1990s.
Bernie Ecclestone, the former F1 supremo, has paid tribute to Jordan, describing him as a “fighter and true racer.” Ecclestone’s comments come as the F1 community mourns the loss of a highly respected and influential figure.
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