Charles Leclerc was eventually affected by Max Verstappen’s tear-off at the start of F1 Belgian GP as the pit stop is discussed by Mattia Binotto.
Already the start of F1 Belgian GP for Leclerc didn’t go as per plans after the Monegasque was forced to pit early when at that time it was taken as a puncture. But post-race, it was clarified that the early stop was due to tear-off getting stuck.
And in the press conference, Red Bull’s Verstappen noted that he did release his tear-off and hoped it was not his. But F1 posted a video which showed that it came from the Dutchman’s hands which kinda ruined the grand prix of Leclerc in a way.
“Carlos told me it was a tear-off,” said Verstappen. “I didn’t know. I hope it’s not mine. But there was a lot of stuff, honestly people… they were all pulling stuff out and it’s just super unlucky, to be honest, that that happens.
“You’re always scared that it happens, especially when you’re in the pack because… especially on a track like this, you are taking them off very quickly, that is your worst nightmare, that these things happen but yeah, unfortunately they do happen,” summed up Verstappen.
On Ferrari side, team boss Binotto affirmed that the tear-off hampered their race from the start and it eventually also affected their sensors which led to the speeding in the pitlane for Leclerc at the end of the grand prix when he pitted for fastest lap.
Binotto defended decision to pit and take that risk, but Leclerc unfortunately joined the track just ahead of Fernando Alonso who overtook him. The Spaniard lost the place on the final lap but the Monegasque couldn’t score the extra point.
The speeding in pitlane cost him the place too in a messy situation. “It was really, really borderline,” said Binotto to media. “We were not using our normal sensors measuring the speed because they have failed during the overheating of the front-right due to the tear-off of Max, and our recovery system, maybe it was not such accurate.
“I think overall, it has been an unlucky situation. It’s not because of that we stop deciding and being brave, to go for a fastest lap when conditions are there to go for it. It’s the opportunity to try to get the fastest lap, and there was the margin on Fernando to stop and try to go for it.
“I think it was the right decision, and we knew it would have been very close to Fernando. It just tight losing the position. But we knew as well he could have overtook him back because he had the fresher tyres, and that could have helped in terms of DRS and top line speed in the main straight. Once again, I think it was the right decision,” summed up Binotto.
For Leclerc, it was another unlucky outing which has set him back by 93 points to Verstappen. “We started well, then on lap 3 we unfortunately had a tear-off in the brake duct that meant I had to pit when I was in P9,” he said. “That set us back quite a bit. From that moment on, I knew that it was going to be a difficult race.
“I mean, the pit lane is not bad luck, it’s just my fault, so it’s a mistake and that’s it. On the other hand, yes, we were just not quick enough this weekend and this is the big problem more than anything, so we need to work on that,” summed up Leclerc.
Here’s the tear-off video: https://twitter.com/F1/status/1564327776294998016?s=20&t=_Ky7z3lxpCwAs3PsLosMOw
Here’s how F1 Belgian GP panned out