Leclerc Apologizes for Radio Criticism of Antonelli in Miami Sprint

MIAMI, May 2 - Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc apologized for harshly criticizing Mercedes championship leader Kimi Antonelli over team radio during an intense wheel-to-wheel battle at the start of Saturday's Miami Grand Prix sprint race.

Leclerc, who finished third behind McLaren's one-two finish with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, vented frustration as Antonelli attempted a move around the outside into the stadium section. "Kimi is so bad on wheel-to-wheel racing. He moved under braking. It's unbelievable. We are going to crash," Leclerc said at the time.

Antonelli, starting second on the front row, suffered a poor launch that dropped him to fourth amid low grip conditions. He crossed the line fourth but received a five-second penalty for repeatedly exceeding track limits, demoting him to sixth.

In post-race comments, Leclerc, a Monegasque, attributed his remarks to the heat of the moment. "I was being a bit harsh maybe with the adrenaline inside the car," he said. "It's true that we've had our moments with Kimi in the past and I hope this calms down a little bit going ahead. Especially as he's the only Italian on the grid against Ferrari. I wish it was with someone else. I...