P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Did Charles Leclerc miss some tricks in his effort to use Sergio Perez to make sure Ferrari beat Mercedes to second in the constructors’ championship? And if so, was he being sporting or practical?
The aftermath of Charles Leclerc’s attempt to overtake Sergio Perez in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix raised questions about whether Leclerc could have done more. Christian Horner, the Red Bull team boss, argued that Leclerc needed to hold off George Russell longer to create a bigger gap for Perez to slot in. Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team boss, praised Leclerc for his sporting integrity and not slowing down excessively at the final corner. The issue of sporting integrity in such situations has been a topic of debate in Formula 1, with comparisons drawn to past incidents involving Perez, Lewis Hamilton, and Nico Rosberg. It is unclear whether Leclerc’s decision was influenced more by sportsmanship or common sense. It is speculated that Leclerc could have potentially given Perez more opportunities to overtake him on the straight stretches of the track, ultimately allowing Perez to finish in between Leclerc and Russell. The timing and risks involved in executing such a strategy are also factors to consider.
