Binotto explains what he said in conversation with Leclerc after the race
General
- GPblog.com
After the British Grand Prix, Mattia Binotto appeared to give his driver Charles Leclerc a stern talking to, but the team boss denies this. The 52-year old says he is only proud of how the 24-year old drove on Sunday afternoon.
Leclerc looked set to win the race at Silverstone. The Monegasque was even passed by teammate Carlos Sainz after team orders because he was faster, but in the end he was left empty-handed. During the safety car in the final phase, Leclerc did not go for fresh rubber, while the competition did. He dropped back to fourth place.
Binotto not angry, but proud of Leclerc
The disappointment was obviously there for Leclerc, but Binotto told Sky Sports that the relationship is still excellent. "There is nothing to sort out internally. It was simply to tell him 'I understand your disappointment, but you did a fantastic race today," is how Binotto explains the moment that was captured by the cameras.
Binotto tries to keep it positive afterwards. "He was fighting at the start, and fighting later on when he was not on the softs. The way he was driving there, protecting the position, was amazing. So being happy is difficult, but staying calm and positive is important," he concluded.
State of play in World Championship
Leclerc's fourth place earned him 12 extra points. Sergio Perez finished second and was therefore ahead. The difference between the numbers two and three in the world championship is now nine points. World Championship leader Max Verstappen lost ground on Leclerc by finishing only seventh after extensive damage and an early puncture.