Leclerc analyses Verstappen's "on the limit" driving style
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Charles Leclerc believes Max Verstappen's driving style is "on the limit of the regulations" but insists that is why he enjoys fighting with the Dutchman in Formula 1. The style has become a topic of conversation after the situation in the United States Grand Prix, in which Lando Norris was penalised for overtaking Verstappen off the track while the Red Bull driver was beyond the white line himself.
Verstappen was late on the brakes at turn 12 on lap 52, putting him ahead at the corner's apex. That meant Norris would get penalised for an overtake off the circuit. Norris did just that and picked up a five-second time penalty, which ultimately put him behind the Dutchman in the classification and caused him to lose points in the title fight.
"Max has always been on the limit of regulations, but that's what makes racing Max so exciting, and that's also why I really like having those fights with him," Leclerc said in Mexico City. "That's what makes those fights very exciting. Having said that, I feel like there are few things maybe in Austin that I have seen that we maybe have to discuss with the FIA, because I feel like the penalties were sometimes a little bit too harsh, and we've got to make sure that we all align. That's the FIA and us drivers, in order to make sure that it's clear what we can do and what we cannot do."
By this, he is not necessarily referring to the penalty Norris received. He is referring more to Oscar Piastri's overtaking during the sprint race. The Australian received a time penalty, which Leclerc believes was unnecessary. "But this is an ongoing process that we always try to optimise with the FIA, and it's a discussion that we'll have, I'm sure, during this briefing." Piastri overtook Pierre Gasly on the inside of Turn 12 but forced the Frenchman too far to the outside in the process.
"But to come back with Max, it's always at the limit of the regulations. Sometimes it goes a little bit over. But that's what makes Formula 1 exciting. Those fights makes it exciting," Leclerc concluded.
This article has been created in collaboration with Corwin Kunst