Charles Leclerc makes Kimi Antonelli 'calm down' plea after clarifying radio rant

Charles Leclerc is hoping that future on-track fights with Kimi Antonelli will prove to be a lot calmer after berating the young Italian during the Miami Sprint.

Leclerc conceded that his criticism early on in the 19-lap race at the Miami International Autodrome was a heat-of-battle remark. Nevertheless, though, he still feels there is an element to the 19-year-old's racing he is not keen on and needs to be tempered.

After surging past Antonelli off the line following another bad start for the Mercedes driver due to what team principal Toto Wolff has described as "a glitch on our side", Leclerc managed to keep him his young rival at bay.

It was not without frustration, however. Over the radio, Leclerc bemoaned: "Kimi is so bad in wheel-to-wheel. He moved under braking. It's unbelievable. We're going to crash!"

Leclerc went on to claim the final podium place behind a McLaren one-two spearheaded by Lando Norris, whilst Antonelli crossed the line in fourth, only to be soon demoted to sixth after collecting a five-second time penalty for track limits infringements.

Clarifying his radio remark, Leclerc said: "I was being a bit harsh, maybe with the adrenaline inside the car."

However, Leclerc then added, "It's true we've had our moments with Kimi in the past. And I hope this calms down a little going forward, especially as he's the only Italian driver on the grid against Ferrari

"I wish it were with someone else, and I really like Kimi as well as a person.

"But sometimes it's a little bit too close for comfort and not really needed as well.

"In this particular case, I was quite angry in the car, but the comments were probably a bit too harsh."