Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen clash on first lap at Suzuka

Charles Leclerc was left with front wing damage after hitting Max Verstappen at the race start in Suzuka.

It was a poor start for Ferrari in general with Sebastian Vettel getting away slowly and losing P1 to Valtteri Bottas.

Leclerc then suffered his own problems and understeered into the Red Bull of Verstappen through Turn 1, sending the Dutchman into a spin and leaving Leclerc with a broken front wing.

Verstappen would sink to the back of the pack, but the stewards ruled at first that no investigation into the incident would be needed, much to Verstappen’s frustration.

“What?! But where should I go?! He just went straight into my car!!,” he said when told there would initially be no investigation.

Leclerc would ignore Ferrari’s orders to pit until Lap 4, causing problems for the following Lewis Hamilton who was taking a face full of debris as he looked to overtake.

“How he’s not been given a warning flag I don’t know,” said the Brit over team radio.

The stewards would later change their minds and decided they would investigate the Verstappen/Leclerc incident.

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