Ferrari Identifies Cause of Leclerc's Monza Crash
Ferrari has revealed what caused Charles Leclerc's dramatic crash at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix, providing answers after the Monegasque reported an unusual feeling from his SF-26 before losing control at Monza.
Leclerc's home race ended on just Lap 2, when he lost the rear of his Ferrari at the final corner and crashed heavily into the barriers.
Following an investigation, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said there was no mechanical failure behind the accident, explaining that the team had carefully checked the car after Leclerc initially suspected something unusual had happened.
Ferrari checked the car. The conclusion was clear: there was no technical failure.
Leclerc Had Reported a Strange Feeling
Immediately after the accident, Leclerc was uncertain about what had caused the sudden loss of control.
The Ferrari driver revealed that he had already experienced an unusual feeling when applying the throttle on the opening lap.
When something similar happened again at the final corner on Lap 2, Leclerc was unable to catch the car.
That prompted Ferrari to carry out a detailed investigation after the race, but Vasseur said the team's analysis found nothing wrong with the car itself.
The finding points towards a combination of tyre behaviour and the aggressive conditions Leclerc faced during the opening stages rather than a component failure.
Hamilton Battle Added to Chaotic Opening Laps
Leclerc's crash came immediately after an intense battle with Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
The two went wheel-to-wheel through the opening chicane on Lap 1, with Hamilton running through the gravel and losing several positions.
Leclerc later admitted the fight had become "way too close", while Hamilton called for clearer rules governing how the Ferrari drivers race each other.
Just one lap later, Leclerc was out of the race.
One lap of Ferrari-on-Ferrari action was followed by a massive setback for the Scuderia.
Vasseur Explains Why Leclerc Lost Control
Vasseur's explanation also offered more detail about the conditions surrounding the accident.
According to the Ferrari boss, Leclerc was dealing with cold tyres following the opening-lap disruption and was pushing aggressively while trying to remain in the fight at the front.
The combination left the Ferrari vulnerable when Leclerc accelerated through the final corner.
With no mechanical problem identified, Ferrari's analysis suggests the accident was ultimately the result of the car losing rear grip rather than a technical malfunction.
For Leclerc, that at least removes concerns that Ferrari may be dealing with a wider reliability issue.
Ferrari Pays Heavy Price at Home.
The consequences were still significant.
Leclerc's impact caused extensive damage to the SF-26, while Ferrari also had to assess whether components from the car's power unit could be recovered.
That could have implications later in the season if damaged components force Ferrari closer to exceeding its permitted allocation.
Hamilton was left as Ferrari's only remaining driver and recovered to P6, but the Scuderia ultimately left its home Grand Prix without the result it had hoped to deliver in front of the Tifosi.
Monza started with both Ferraris on the second row. It ended without a podium.
Ferrari Can Move Forward With One Question Answered
Leclerc's crash initially created two major questions for Ferrari.
Was there something wrong with the car?
And did the intense opening-lap battle with Hamilton contribute to what happened next?
Ferrari's investigation has now provided an answer to the first.
There was no mechanical failure behind Leclerc's crash.
For Winbox Racing, attention now shifts toward how Ferrari and Leclerc respond at the next Grand Prix — and whether the team introduces clearer boundaries for the increasingly intense battle between Leclerc and Hamilton.
No technical failure. No reliability mystery. But one very costly mistake at Ferrari's biggest home race.
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