Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has acknowledged that he pushed too hard from third place before making an error towards the end of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
While Max Verstappen won at Imola to boost his title chances, Championship leader Leclerc made an unnecessary mistake from third spot in attempting to overtake Sergio Perez, instead having to settle for sixth position.
Speaking after the race, Leclerc admitted that he did not give enough thought to the bigger picture and accepted that it could cost him later in the season.
As quoted by BBC Sport, Leclerc said: "I tried too much. On that lap, I obviously wanted to give it all but I gave too much and finished into the wall.
"Instead of the third place we lose seven potential points which will be important at the end of the season and today it is my full responsibility. I will look what I have done wrong. The car jumped in a strange way but this is no excuse because I tried to put too much speed and lost the car. Disappointing."
While Leclerc still holds a 27-point advantage at the top of the standings, world champion Verstappen has made significant ground this weekend to move into second place, helped by victory in the sprint race on Saturday.
British pair Lando Norris and George Russell benefitted from Leclerc's poor judgement, the McLaren driver finishing third and Mercedes representative Russell in fourth.
Darren Plant
