Charles Leclerc blames himself after 'unacceptable' late Miami GP spin

Originally published by Motorsport.com
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3 May 2026, 20:58
Charles Leclerc blames himself after 'unacceptable' late Miami GP spin

Ferrari Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc has placed the blame on himself after a late spin in the Miami Grand Prix cost him a podium finish.

The Monegasque driver had just lost third position to McLaren's Oscar Piastri when he went to overtake the Australian, but he spun out as he pushed to make the move. While he avoided a massive crash, he did clip the wall and lost further positions to George Russell and Max Verstappen.

"The damage was significant. To tell you exactly what was the damage, I'm not so sure," Leclerc told Motorsport.com and other media after the race.

"I'm pretty sure there was a puncture, there was probably some suspension damage as well, as I couldn't really turn to the right anymore. So yeah, I'm very disappointed with myself. It's all on me and it's a mistake.

"I obviously need to look because with these cars, you always have the question mark of how much it deploys and considering it was the last lap, maybe there was a bit more out of that corner as you just need to finish the lap with that amount of energy. But that's not an excuse in any way. It's all on me and it's not acceptable. So I need to look at that."

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Photo by: Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images

When asked if the moment was frustration-fuelled from earlier complaints over the team radio about pit strategy, Leclerc added: "No, I was very calm actually. I was very calm. I wanted to get the overtake from Oscar in that last lap. Hence why I didn't make his life too difficult before the last corner for him to overtake me.

"I was relatively calm in the car. Of course, I pushed like an animal in Turn 3. Most of the time this year, it went through. I've had quite a few battles this year, but this time it didn't. I'm disappointed with myself."

Leclerc is currently under investigation for potentially leaving the track multiple times and gaining an advantage, driving with an unsafe car, and for causing a collision with Russell.  

Photos from Miami GP - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Rain at the Hard Rock Stadium

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Rafael Nadal and Jon Rahm visit the Aston Martin F1 Team garage.

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Cam'ron with the Audi F1 Team R26 on the grid.

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Rafael Nadal waves the checkered flag for Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli celebrates after winning

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Lando Norris, McLaren

Miami GP - Sunday, in photos

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