Leclerc cites cooling issues for pace drop at Austrian Grand Prix

Charles Leclerc experienced a challenging Austrian Grand Prix, finishing eighth after starting from the front row. Despite a competitive qualifying performance, the Ferrari driver lost significant ground throughout the 71-lap race, struggling to maintain pace as rivals overtook him.

The race became complicated early on following a loss of position to Lewis Hamilton on the opening lap. Leclerc later suffered minor front wing damage during a close-quarters battle, further hindering his progress. The Ferrari pilot identified persistent overheating issues during braking phases as the main technical hurdle, noting that the car’s performance felt inconsistent compared to his qualifying form.

This eighth-place finish marks Leclerc’s first classification since Canada, following two consecutive retirements. He currently shares sixth place in the standings with Lando Norris, trailing his teammate by 46 points as the team works to understand the underlying causes of his Sunday struggles.