Charles Leclerc explains failed masterplan to assist Sergio Perez in Ferrari's bid to overhaul Mercedes

Charles Leclerc has explained his thinking behind his F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tactics to concede track position to Sergio Perez in a failed attempt to help Ferrari overhaul Mercedes. 
Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari in the post race FIA Press Conference. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 23, Abu Dhabi Grand
Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari in the post race FIA Press Conference. Formula 1 World…

Leclerc gave up second place to Red Bull driver Perez, who was carrying a five-second time penalty, to try and help him pull clear of 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:George Russell’s Mercedes in the closing stages of Sunday’s▨ season finale. 

Had Perez 𝐆finished five seconds or more up the road from Russell, he would have been demoted to third behind Leclerc, but crucially would have stayed ahead of the Briton. 

That result would have lifted Ferrari above Mercedes and up to second place in the constructors’ champi𝓡onship, but Perez fell short by 1.1 seconds and ultimately dropped behind Russell to fourth. 

With Russell claiming ▨the final spot on the podium, Mercedes secured P2 by just three points. 

"It was all in the last few minutes because Checo𒉰 had five-second penalty," Leclerc explained. 

The podium (L to R): Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari, second; Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing, race winner; George
The podium (L to R): Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari, second; Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull…

"We had to help him in a way for him to finish in front of George with the five seconds. I tried to give him the 🐎DRS and a slipstream, but that unfortunately wasn't enough.

"It is just a shame that we fi♒nished third in the constructors' [ch𝓡ampionship]. That's all that mattered to me in this end of season, and we didn't achieve that.”

Russell thanks Leclerc ꦓfor keeping their battle “clean”, while Mercedes boss Toto⛎ Wolff praised the Monegasque’s “sportsmanlike behaviour”. 

"It was tight with Checo at the end, I thought Charles was going to back me up but ꦡrespect to him for keeping it c𒅌lean," Russell said.

"[Second] means a huge amount. There are so ma🍨ny people back at a factory, Brackley, Brixworth who haveཧ worked so hard to achieve this.

"It's been a really challenging season. I've let the👍 side down a couple of times this year, so pleased to bring it across the line today."

Read More