Charles Leclerc’s 2023 season continues to be one of frustration for the Monegasque, after a potential top-five finish was taken away from the 25-year-old, following an error by his race engineer.
Despite having qualified second at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Leclerc was forced to start from P12 after being slapped with a 10-place grid penalty.
Leclerc took a 10-place grid penalty into the second round of the season, due to being fitted with a third set of control electronics.
The Ferrari drove got through his two legal sets of control electronics at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, where he retired with an engine failure.
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Thankfully, there was no engine concerns for Leclerc on Sunday, with the Monegasque having actually started the race very strongly.
Leclerc quickly got himself into the top eight, before being called into the pit’s moments before the only Safety Car of the race occurred.
It was during the only Safety Car of the race where Leclerc lost his cool with his race engineer, after not being fed information quickly enough.
Leclerc was told to “push” at a section of the circuit whilst he’d already arrived there, something which resulted in the Monegasque falling behind Lewis Hamilton.
Leclerc was absolutely furious with the error from his team, which effectively cost him fifth, given that is where Hamilton finished the race.
“Try to push from Safety Car Line One. Lewis Hamilton just pitted.” said Leclerc’s race engineer.
“XAVI YOU NEED TO TELL ME THAT BEFORE! I MEAN COME ON!” Leclerc shouted.
Leclerc ultimately crossed the line in seventh, whilst Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz claimed sixth.
It at least meant the Ferrari driver got his first points of the season, with Leclerc having risen to eighth in the standings on six points.
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Whilst that’s a positive, questions will once again be asked about Ferrari’s race pace, with the Italians having had no answer for Red Bull, Aston Martin or Mercedes.
As a result, the Maranello-based team are fourth in the constructors’ championship after two races.
They’ll be hoping for better fortunes at the Australian Grand Prix in two weeks, where Leclerc claimed victory 12 months ago.