First Lap Turbulence
The opening lap of the Chinese Grand Prix witnessed unexpected drama when Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, two of Ferrari’s top drivers, made contact. Both were targeting Max Verstappen, who took a wider line through turn 1, and as they approached the apex of turn 2, their differing lines converged dramatically.
The Collision Explained
As Hamilton maneuvered ahead of Leclerc, a slide from the young driver caused significant impact. Clipping the kerb on the inside led to Leclerc crashing into Hamilton’s right-rear corner. The incident left Leclerc with noticeable damage, knocking off his left-side endplate and impacting his downforce. Reports indicate that the damage resulted in a loss of approximately 20-30 points of downforce for Leclerc, which inevitably affected his performance for the remainder of the race.
Aftermath and Reactions
Post-collision, Hamilton, apparently unaware he had collided with Leclerc, radioed in stating he had been “hit by someone.” Despite the incident, Hamilton managed to circulate in fourth position, trailing the leading McLarens and the Mercedes of George Russell. Meanwhile, Leclerc, bearing the burden of damage, surprisingly remained close behind Hamilton during the first stint. Analyzing the incident, experts David Croft and Martin Brundle discussed how Leclerc’s misstep on the kerb led to the collision highlighting that such incidents are typical on the first lap.
This clash not only showcases the high stakes in Formula 1 but also the fine margins that can define a race’s outcome.
