Leclerc explains strange Norris clash

Charles Leclerc has explained his version of events after coming together with Lando Norris during the final free practice session in Spain. The pair made contact on the run to Turn 7 after Leclerc aborted his lap, feeling he was impeded by the McLaren driver. Leclerc's car drifted to the left side towards Norris as he slowed, with a light touch occurring between the duo. Both drivers were called to the stewards after the session but Leclerc avoided a costly penalty and instead was hit with a reprimand. Explaining his perspective to media including RacingNews365 , Leclerc said: “Lando was exiting the pit lane and I was behind on a push lap. “Then when he aborted, I also aborted. I braked to be alongside him. I misjudged it.  “I was on the right [side of the track], I didn't want to impede the cars behind so I was a bit in the middle of being frustrated and looking in the mirror trying not to impede. “Then we collided, but it was more of a misunderstanding.”

Leclerc insists contact 'never the goal'

Leclerc ended the qualifying session in fifth place, and hailed Ferrari's efforts to improve the car after a challenging Friday. Having avoided a grid drop for the collision, Leclerc outlined that intimidating Norris by making contact was far from his intention.   “You are always frustrated when you do that, but you never want to touch,” Leclerc said. “That’s the last thing you want to do, to damage your car with qualifying right after. It’s never the goal.”