WATCH: Charles Leclerc avoids disastrous triple crash in heart-stopping FP3 moment at Monza

In a tense moment during the final third of FP3 of the Italian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, and Daniel Ricciardo were nearly involved in a dramatic collision that had the entire paddock holding its breath. The incident occurred on the back straight following Lesmo 2, where Leclerc, in his Ferrari, attempted to overtake Piastri’s McLaren.

The situation quickly escalated as Piastri, perhaps unaware of Leclerc's approach, moved over on the straight, leaving Leclerc with nowhere to go but the grass. The near-miss happened after an already intense session where Leclerc had earlier impeded Piastri during his flying lap into Turns 1 and 2.

Here is the video:

😳 Oscar Piastri, Charles Leclerc'e yer bırakmamış!#ItalianGP | #F1 pic.twitter.com/LwQrtEuRAE

— Eau Rouge (@eaurouge_ps) August 31, 2024

#ItalianGP #F1 #Practice #Practice3 #FP3 the radio of #DanielRicciardo vs #OscarPiastri #CharlesLeclerc... pic.twitter.com/EXzAXrbobq

— linalan (@linalan01) August 31, 2024

As the session progressed, Ferrari driver Leclerc was eager to regain his momentum but found himself squeezed by Piastri’s aggressive positioning on the track. The Monegasque driver’s quick reflexes likely averted what could have been a disastrous collision. "I almost shunted with Piastri," Leclerc voiced over his team radio, clearly rattled by the close call.

Daniel Ricciardo had a front-row show!

Adding to the drama, VCARB’s Daniel Ricciardo, who was trailing the pair, had a front-row seat to the chaos. "Gosh... That was a mess," commented Ricciardo, summing up the hair-raising moment. The Australian driver was approaching the scene just as Leclerc went off the track, and a three-way crash seemed imminent.

The stewards have taken note of the incident and have announced that it will be investigated following the session. With the stakes high and tempers flaring, this close call serves as a reminder of the razor-thin margins that define Formula 1 racing. As the weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on the stewards' decision, which could have significant implications for the drivers involved.