CHARLES LECLERC turned the air blue after another disappointing day for Ferrari at Imola.
The Monegasque star was asked to let Alex Albon past following a late incident at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
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Leclerc appeared to force the Williams driver off track as he fought hard to retain P4.
The 27-year-old was instructed to allow Albon back past by Ferrari and ultimately had to settle for sixth place.
But a fuming Leclerc let rip on team radio after the request.
He raged: “That’s how racing is now? When he can’t pass, I need to let him pass?
“This is a f***ing joke. What did I do wrong?”
Leclerc had been enjoying a strong race, having started 11th on the grid and working his way through the field.
He was spared any further punishment by the FIA after the tangle with Albon.
In their official verdict, the stewards deemed that Ferrari made the swap before they had concluded their investigation.
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As a result, no further action was required.
Leclerc later told reporters: “When you are starting P11, as a driver I cannot accept the situation we are in.
“I took risks. I don’t think with Pierre [Gasly] I was at fault or over the limit. It was a racing incident.
“With Alex it was very much on the limit for sure.”
Max Verstappen took the chequered flag at Imola for Red Bull after an eventful race.
The Dutchman, chasing five-straight world titles, won his first race as a new dad.
It helped close the gap on championship leader Oscar Piastri to 22 points.
Lando Norris pipped Piastri to second after almost crashing into his team-mate with five laps to go, while a devastated George Russell dropped to seventh from P3.
Lewis Hamilton made an incredible recovery from starting P12 to record his best-ever finish in a Ferrari in 4th.
Hamilton said: “I mean, obviously I couldn’t hear them, but to drive in front of the Tifosi today [and] this weekend has been a highlight of the year so far.
F1 2025
THE new Formula One season is well underway – and one team appear to be running away with it.
A massive summer of change saw Lewis Hamilton move on from Mercedes and join Ferrari, while the McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have a big chance to end Max Verstappen‘s recent dominance.
The Red Bull ace is aiming for a record-equalling FIFTH consecutive world title.
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“There was a lot of pressure on us as a team, with struggling through the year so far with the car and particularly with our qualifying.
“So to have such a strong race, to be moving forwards, making ground.
“To finally have that connection, that synergy with the car today and progressing was a really great feeling.”
