Leclerc vows to learn from losing F1 points in Sochi’s late rain shower

Leclerc started the Russian Grand Prix from the back row of the grid after receiving a penalty to allow Ferrari to introduce its improved power unit into its car.

However, the Monegasque was able to fight his way forward again and temporarily finished third before pitting at the end of a long first stint.

Leclerc was in eighth place after the stops and a couple of passes and seemed prepared to score before the late rain, where he initially opted against the pit lane and left him on slick tires when the worst of the rain set in.

Leclerc finally crossed the finish line at the end of lap 51 – the same lap as Lando Norris, who would be seventh after most of the race – and fell back to 15th place in the final standings.

“It was obviously very difficult,” said Leclerc.

“I think we stayed out longer compared to the other two laps and I think it was actually pretty good for those two laps because we were competitive.

“But then of course the rain increased a lot at some point and that put us in a very bad situation because we lost everything in one lap.

“Whether Lando or me, it was a very similar situation.”

Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris both waited too long before switching to intermediate tires at the Russian GP

Photo by: FIA Pool

A number of teams and riders were unsure whether or not to switch from slicks to intermediates.

Leclerc said he would try to learn from the experience, believing he could have done more to make the right decision and to box earlier.

“After this weekend I will analyze what I could have done better as a driver,” said Leclerc.

“I feel like I could have done a better job as a driver helping the team make the right decision.

“Before that it was of course a very, very positive race on my side, so I’m even more disappointed to end it like this.

“But it is now, and I’ll try to learn from it.”