Leclerc says he enjoys racing Hamilton after Monza clash

Charles Leclerc said he enjoys racing Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton and that both drivers have sometimes gone too far in their on-track battles, adding that they need to discuss such incidents. His comments followed their clash at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, where Hamilton said Leclerc pushed him off track and Leclerc later apologized. Speaking before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Leclerc said he welcomed competing against Hamilton, whom he described as one of the best drivers. He said both want to win but also share the goal of helping Ferrari succeed. Leclerc said discussions between the drivers are key when either crosses a line, and argued that outsiders often draw incorrect conclusions from their battles. Hamilton had expressed dissatisfaction after the Monza incident, saying Leclerc pushed him off track as they fought on the opening lap. Leclerc subsequently accepted that he had gone too far, while also saying Hamilton had at times done so. The supplied accounts do not independently establish what happened on track or whether the drivers’ later conversations resolved their disagreement.