Leclerc: 'Sorry about the second place' in Las Vegas Grand Prix

General

19 November 2023 at 07:54
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  • Olly Darcy
  • Editor

After starting the race on pole, Charles Leclerc could not turn that into a race win. However, a final lap overtake on Sergio Perez meant he took a well-earned P2.

Leclerc, who has started every race in the USA on pole, could not keep the rapid Red Bull of Max Verstappen behind him as the chequered flag fell, but battled hard throughout and earned the driver of the day award by the fans. 

Leclerc loses out to Verstappen but steals P2 from Perez

Verstappen took the lead from the Monegasque driver at turn one but was given a five-second penalty after he pushed the Ferrari wide.

However, even though Leclerc led for many laps of the race, an untimely safety car meant both Verstappen and Perez were able to put fresher tyres on and find that extra pace needed to take P1 away from the Prancing Horse.

"What a race, I enjoyed it so much," said Leclerc in the post-race interview with David Coulthard. "Disappointed to finish second, but that was the best we could do. I think Max lost a bit of grip. We had the pace and got him back. We were strong overall, but we just got unlucky with the safety car. Second place with a lot of fight, I enjoyed it."

But the 26-year-old was always on the back of the Red Bulls, and on the final lap, he was able to dive down the inside of Perez to stop a Red Bull one-two and take the second step on the podium.

"The weekend didn't start the way it had to, but I'm so happy it ended that way. No better race for the first race in Vegas. The energy in the city is incredible. I'm sorry about the second place. I gave it all! But we should have more races where the racing is like that. That was enjoyable!"