P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The timing of the Safety Car could not have been at a worse time for Charles Leclerc, but was it ultimately what prevented him from winning the Las Vegas Grand Prix?
Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur believes that the timing of the Safety Car during the Las Vegas Grand Prix had a negative impact on Charles Leclerc’s chances of winning. Leclerc had already completed his pit stop when the Safety Car was deployed due to debris on the track. Sergio Perez, who was behind Leclerc after the pit stop, used the opportunity to pit and restart on fresh tires, ultimately passing Leclerc and taking the lead. However, Leclerc fought back and temporarily regained the lead before Max Verstappen overtook both of them to win the race. Vasseur expressed disappointment with the timing of the Safety Car deployment, as it was unfavorable for Ferrari’s strategy. Despite the outcome, Vasseur praised Leclerc’s performance and expressed surprise at his successful last-lap move to reclaim second place.
