Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Australia
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari 312 B3 after the crash
Prime
Opinion

Why Leclerc's crash shouldn't put off F1 drivers tasting history

OPINION: For a demo run ahead of Monaco's Historique Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc was blessed with the opportunity to drive Niki Lauda's former Ferrari 312B3 - but a brake failure at Rascasse suggested Leclerc's Monaco hoodoo transcended contemporary F1. Although an awkward incident, Leclerc deserves credit for embracing F1's history.

Formula 1 drivers live the dream that many of us once possessed and enjoy a privileged lifestyle. Professionally at least, it’s difficult to feel sorry for them. But not long after the rear wing of the ex-Niki Lauda Ferrari 312B3 crumpled against the Rascasse barrier last Sunday, perhaps Charles Leclerc was deserving of a little empathy.

When the current championship leader dropped the high-airbox machine from 1974 during a demonstration run at the Monaco Historique Grand Prix, it looked as though the back axle had locked when he downshifted in the braking zone. In other words, might a racer used to a semi-automatic change have fluffed his heel-and-toe and the H-pattern manual to trigger the spin?

Previous article De Vries expects to be "thrown in the deep" in F1 practice debut
Next article Is F1 heading for a budget cap showdown over Red Bull/Ferrari development war?

More from Matt Kew

Hulkenberg: Smaller F1 teams need "unorthodox" strategies to score points

Hulkenberg: Smaller F1 teams need "unorthodox" strategies to score points

F1 Formula 1
Hulkenberg: Smaller F1 teams need "unorthodox" strategies to score points Hulkenberg: Smaller F1 teams need "unorthodox" strategies to score points
Sauber: Audi’s accelerated F1 takeover a boost for short term

Sauber: Audi’s accelerated F1 takeover a boost for short term

F1 Formula 1
Sauber: Audi’s accelerated F1 takeover a boost for short term Sauber: Audi’s accelerated F1 takeover a boost for short term
RB sets end-of-2024 date for new Milton Keynes facility

RB sets end-of-2024 date for new Milton Keynes facility

F1 Formula 1
McLaren Imola March testing
RB sets end-of-2024 date for new Milton Keynes facility RB sets end-of-2024 date for new Milton Keynes facility
Vettel sent Bearman 'good luck' message ahead of Saudi F1 debut

Vettel sent Bearman 'good luck' message ahead of Saudi F1 debut

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Vettel sent Bearman 'good luck' message ahead of Saudi F1 debut Vettel sent Bearman 'good luck' message ahead of Saudi F1 debut
Ricciardo: RB has identified a few flaws with F1 car

Ricciardo: RB has identified a few flaws with F1 car

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Ricciardo: RB has identified a few flaws with F1 car Ricciardo: RB has identified a few flaws with F1 car
Scheckter to sell 1979 title-winning Ferrari F1 car

Scheckter to sell 1979 title-winning Ferrari F1 car

F1 Formula 1
Scheckter to sell 1979 title-winning Ferrari F1 car Scheckter to sell 1979 title-winning Ferrari F1 car
Massa files lawsuit against FIA, FOM over 2008 F1 Singapore GP

Massa files lawsuit against FIA, FOM over 2008 F1 Singapore GP

F1 Formula 1
Massa files lawsuit against FIA, FOM over 2008 F1 Singapore GP Massa files lawsuit against FIA, FOM over 2008 F1 Singapore GP
The impatient pair who’d hoped to be a thorn in Red Bull’s side again

The impatient pair who’d hoped to be a thorn in Red Bull’s side again

Prime
Prime
F1 Formula 1
Bahrain GP
The impatient pair who’d hoped to be a thorn in Red Bull’s side again The impatient pair who’d hoped to be a thorn in Red Bull’s side again

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Australia