Charles Leclerc: “Max Verstappen took advantage of time penalty instead of giving back position” – F1journaal.be

According to Charles Leclerc, it was ultimately more beneficial for Max Verstappen to take a five-second time penalty instead of immediately giving back the position after the incident in the first corner.

Charles Leclerc said he understood that it was difficult for Verstappen not to go wide in the first corner, but during the race Leclerc was much more vocal about the incident, especially because Red Bull had instructed Verstappen not to regain the position. to give. Leclerc said on the on-board radio that he found it ‘ridiculous’ that Verstappen did not give back the position.

“Max came to me after the race and explained the situation,” said Leclerc. “It was clearly at the limit and over the limit, so I think the five-second time penalty is justified.”

“It was close, I tried to go full throttle off the track but there was so little grip there and I couldn’t maintain the position. But it is what it is. He was punished, he took his punishment and I think it was right to give that punishment.”

What does bother Leclerc, however, is that such a time penalty suited Max Verstappen much better than immediately giving the position back to Leclerc. Verstappen could keep his tires much better this way than if he were driving behind another car and had to push.

“I think it’s the kind of situation where it would be better for the FIA ​​to ask you to give back the position because it is an advantage to have a free track and be able to manage your tires much better.”