New father Charles Leclerc arrived late to this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix and went straight to crisis talks with Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton and team boss Fred Vasseur, declaring afterwards that he believes “everything is settled.”
Leclerc and his wife Alexandra welcomed baby daughter Bianca this week, meaning the Monaco native flew back to Monaco from Mexico City last Sunday night and then arrived to Brazil on Thursday evening, missing media day as a result.
That prevented Leclerc from giving his response to comments made by Hamilton after the race.
The seven-time world champion had criticised Leclerc’s “do or die” mindset after the pair of them went off track fighting for the lead in Mexico, which allowed Max Verstappen to seize the initiative -- the Red Bull driver eventually beat Hamilton to the win.
Hamilton had declared Ferrari had “big, big problems” and demanded “serious talks” ahead of Brazil’s race, which Vasseur confirmed had taken place when he and Leclerc arrived on Thursday evening.
When asked after Friday practice if he agreed with Vasseur’s view that the issue has been resolved, Leclerc said: “Yes, exactly.”
“I mean, obviously, there’s been a lot of things [said] -- probably too much things -- in the last week. We’ve spoken, I think everything is settled and I’m looking forward for the rest of the weekend now.”
Understandably, Leclerc’s attention has been elsewhere this week. The Monaco native gushed over his family’s new arrival, declaring it a week he will never forget - albeit with a veiled reference to the Mexico fallout as well.
“It’s definitely the most special thing ever,” he said. “And yeah, you kind of expect it, because I’ve always wanted to be a young dad. And obviously with Alex, we felt like it was the right time. And it’s a very, very special moment.
“Definitely a week I’ll forever remember for all the positive reasons. Then, of course, there’s been other things going on as well. But for me, this week was all about Bianca and it’s been incredible.”