Charles Leclerc’s big accident on lap two of the 2026 F1 Italian GP left the Monegasque “worried” about his vision, following a 60G impact at the Parabolica, as the Ferrari driver engaged in battle with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri before a sudden snap of oversteer sent him straight into the barries at the final corner.
Leclerc endured a very similar crash as to what he experienced at that same corner six years ago – coincidentally, also on September 6th – and speared off into the wall at high-speed whilst he was running a strong fourth place, ending the hopes of 2026 marking his third win with Ferrari at the Italian GP.
But before his accident, a contentious incident between the two Ferrari drivers at the first chicane on the opening lap already left the Monegasque frustrated at the cockpit.
“We went too far” – Leclerc on the opening lap of 2026 F1 Italian GP against Hamilton
Although the Monegasque was quick to dismiss the “narrative” that was created after Zandvoort – which indicated the Ferrari drivers are against working together – Leclerc admitted that the racing between the pair “went too far” this time around.
Firstly, Hamilton dived down the inside of Leclerc’s Ferrari at the first corner, before the Monegasque returned the favour by seemingly pushing the seven-time world champion off the road on the exit – with the Briton dropping down to 10th place at one point after running across the gravel trap.
“I don’t really know who is forcing that narrative that we are one against the other,” Leclerc said. “I mean, honestly [in] Zandvoort, there was way too many talks already.
“Here, it’s true, though, that we went too far,” he admitted. “I think, Lewis [Hamilton] in turn one.”
Leclerc was adamant that he tried to do his best to turn his Ferrari as much as possible at the second part of the chicane, but just couldn’t avoid understeering off and inevitably forcing Hamilton off in the process – which he believes is especially frustrating for the two cars to tangle, considering it’s Ferrari’s home race:
“Then in turn two, I tried to do the tightest corner possible, but that was just not enough, and doing it here [in Monza], is not good.”
“Right eye was not showing me a great vision” – Leclerc’s major concern after the lap two crash at the 2026 F1 Italian GP
After surviving the initial tussle with Hamilton, Leclerc went on to battle pole-sitter Pierre Gasly, and subsenquently Max Verstappen’s Red Bull before heading off into the barriers as he battled Piastri.
The 60G impact on the second lap of the 2026 F1 Italian GP looked concerning from the outside, and the Ferrari driver revealed he was feeling the effects of it on his right eye, which initially did not offer him “great vision” – but thankfully returned to normal, subject to further checks overnight and on Monday to ensure he’s all clear for the inagural Spanish GP in Madrid next week:
“The neck was okay, it was just the vision a little bit at first, which the right eye was not showing me a great vision,” he revealed. “But now it’s all good. I mean, that’s the thing I was most worried of getting off the car, was this.
“Then after that, everything, a bit of pain here and there, which is normal after a crash like this, so nothing more.
“I think I’ll have quite a few additional checks that we still have to do on my side probably tonight and tomorrow to make sure that I’ll be fully fine for Madrid.
“It should be the case, but better be safe than sorry.”
Possible “difference in power delivery” was the reason behind his crash
Although caveated that he’s yet to confirm it in Ferrari’s post-race data analysis, Leclerc believes that he felt a difference in the power delivery of his car from the first lap to the second lap exiting Parabolica.
As he lost the car very late into the corner, he believes that a power spike could’ve been the reason behind the sudden snap into the barriers, instead of actually blaming it on being slightly off the optimal line following Piastri’s attack on corner entry:
“I wouldn’t say that this is the issue [being off line]. I think from lap one to lap two, I had a bit of a difference in power delivery.
“We’ll look into it, but yeah, I don’t want to comment too much before checking the data and confirming it 100%.
“With hindsight, of course [I would be more careful],” he said when asked if he should’ve taken a safer approach given he was off the optimal racing line.
“But again, before making any additional comments, I would like to look on our side as everything was okay.”
Leclerc – who is now more than 100 points back from Kimi Antonelli at the top of the championship following the 2026 F1 Italian GP – believes the lack of running makes it inconclusive as to whether he could’ve challenged for the win or a podium.
“I only did two laps in the traffic, so it’s very difficult to draw conclusions on.”
