Charles Leclerc says he left team mate Sebastian Vettel enough space before the collision which put both Ferraris out of the race.

However Vettel insisted he “didn’t have much space” when the two made contact.

Leclerc had just passed Vettel for fourth place and was being re-passed by his team mate when they tangled on the approach to turn four. The pair made wheel-to-wheel contact which forced both out.

“From my side I overtook in turn one, I enjoyed this overtake,” explained Leclerc. “Then in turn three I had to close because I was aware Seb will try again, and he did.

“He went down the outside. There was little space, I left the space, he took [me]. And then towards the end of the straight he started to squeeze me a little bit to the inside and we were very close.

“Everything happened very quick. As soon as he went to the inside we touched and then I had a puncture.”

Leclerc said he hasn’t spoken to Vettel about the collision yet. “But I am pretty sure we are mature enough to put that behind us,” he said.

“At the end we feel both of us extremely sorry for the team. This is the end result. Both of the cars didn’t finish and that’s very disappointing. We will put that behind [us] and we will continue to work together.”

Vettel suggested Leclerc didn’t leave him enough room before they made contact.

“At that point I didn’t have much space on the right,” he said. “I had a better run out of turn three and tried to pass.”

“It’s a shame for the team obviously we didn’t finish the race,” he added.

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2019 F1 season