Albon Speaks Out After Controversial Clash With Leclerc - 'P4 Was Possible'

Newsweek

19-05-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Alex Albon has addressed the incident with Charles Leclerc in the final stages of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
After pitting under the safety car conditions, the Williams driver put pressure on Leclerc, who was on old tires, in an intense battle for fourth-place. However, in a close encounter with the Ferrari driver, Albon ran wide and ended up losing a position to seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.
As the incident was noted by the Stewards, Hamilton overtook Leclerc and Ferrari instructed the Monegasque driver to let Albon pass in order to avoid a penalty.
Reflecting on the moment after the race, Albon explained in a press release from the team:
Alexander Albon of Thailand and Williams walks in the paddock during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari on May 16, 2025 in Imola, Italy.
Alexander Albon of Thailand and Williams walks in the paddock during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari on May 16, 2025 in Imola, Italy."I'm very happy. P4 was possible today if the Safety Car didn't come out at the end or if you take away the Charles incident, but I'm not going to say I'm disappointed with P5!
"When I look at the battle with Charles, I would probably have done the same; it wasn't that crazy, he was just trying to hold his position, but then I lost out to Lewis. Maybe I could have been a bit more patient with my overtake of Charles, but at that point in the race I was feeling so good that I was thinking: 'Oscar is up ahead on worn tires, maybe I could go after him!'
"I'm still very happy with the race; on pure pace we were running P4, P5, so we were able to extend the first stint and that set us up for the whole race. The consistent pace we're showing opens up the window for what else we can do, so let's keep going and enjoying it."
Leclerc also commented on the incident with Albon and another previous incident with Gasly. He explained to the media:
"I was saying before, it's one of the races where you've got to race with the heart and put the elbows out a little bit.
"When it's like this you go very much on the limit, sometimes a little bit over. But when you are starting P11, as a driver I cannot accept the situation we are in.
"I took risks. I don't think with Pierre I was at fault or over the limit. It was a racing indecent. With Alex it was very much on the limit for sure."
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: Race results
1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2. Lando Norris, McLaren
3. Oscar Piastri, McLaren
4. Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
5. Alex Albon, Williams
6. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
7. George Russell, Mercedes
8. Carlos Sainz, Williams
9. Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls
10. Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull
11. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
12. Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
13. Pierre Gasly, Alpine
14. Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
15. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
16. Franco Colapinto, Alpine
17. Oliver Bearman, Haas
18. Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
19. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes - DNF
20. Esteban Ocon, Haas - DNF