Charles Leclerc Regrets Bad Decision That Cost Him a Podium at GP Miami

Charles Leclerc has expressed regret over his "bad" decision that led to him throwing away the chance of a podium finish at the chaotic GP Miami Formula 1 race.

Leclerc seemed destined for a third-place finish, but was overtaken by Oscar Piastri of McLaren in a thrilling last-lap battle, only to then make a series of mistakes that cost him a spot on the podium.

After tactically letting Piastri pass him at the final corner in an attempt to get around him quickly in overtaking mode, Leclerc lost control of his Ferrari at Turn 1 and spun off in a wild manner.

He then crashed into the wall while trying to regain control of his car and damaged his front left steering arm, allowing Russell and Max Verstappen of Red Bull to pass him on the final lap as he dropped down to sixth place.

After the race, Leclerc strongly criticized himself for making a "very bad" decision that "ruined a great race".

"It's all my fault and I don't have much to add to that," Leclerc told Sky Sports F1.

"I'm really disappointed in myself, it shouldn't have happened. I tried very hard in the last two laps, I thought it was a good idea to let Oscar go ahead so I could try to overtake him, and I knew it would be very difficult to stay ahead if not.

"That was a very bad decision and in four corners I threw away a great race, so I'm really frustrated about that. There's not much else I can say."

To add insult to injury, Leclerc was handed a 20-second time penalty that dropped him down to eighth place.

Leclerc is under investigation for several infractions, including speeding outside of designated boundaries on the final lap, driving in an "unsafe" manner on the final lap, and lightly bumping Russell.

"I don't know what the verdict will be, I think we just have to wait and see," Leclerc said before the penalty was issued.

"All I can say is that I did my best to try and get around the first corner first and maybe it seemed a lot harder than it looked from outside."

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