Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc feels he needs to be more decisive in races and learn from Sebastian Vettel after F1 Mexico GP.
Starting on inherited pole, Ferrari’s Leclerc began the F1 Mexico GP as one of the favorites to win, but by the mid-way point, his chances slipped away after an early decision to pit, that cost him the lead which he never saw it back again.
The pit stop was in response to Red Bull’s Alexander Albon, who attempted to pull off an undercut, but both Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto and Leclerc admitted the early stop was a mistake, as it left them on what became a sub-optimal two-stop strategy.
“I think that at that stage of the race, it was too early [to pit], and looking at all of our data, tyre degredation from Friday and Saturday, Sunday it was even hotter,” said Binotto. “We didn’t consider the one stop.
“Obviously looking now at the end, that was the right choice, but that, I think, when you’re ahead, is the type of risk you’re not taking, so you’re covering on the other car [Albon]. Then, second stint of Charles was not great, for whatever reason.
“Maybe we pushed too much at the early stages, early laps, and then the tyres were degrading, I don’t know.” Leclerc, however, took some blame, as he regretted not being decisive like his teammate Vettel, who advised his engineer against pitting.
“After we pitted early to cover Albon, we knew that it will be a two-stop race when all the others went for one-stop, so it was quite difficult,” said Leclerc. “I believe we wanted to cover Albon, mostly to take care of overheating which is a big factor here.
“Also to have track position and not being behind is key. At that point of race, we thought it will be a two-stop which it didn’t happen. I think we still need to do some work, in the races especially.
“Because we have seen in the last few races, I still have to be more on the radio and be more decisive for something, be modest and help the team to make the right decision like how Seb does, so I have to learn from that.
“All in all, it’s a shame but if there is something I can learn from the race, it is to try to help the team more with my feedback from inside the car so that we can make the best call together.” Leclerc finished fourth eventually with the fastest lap point.
Here’s how the F1 Mexico GP panned out
Here’s what Lewis Hamilton said about Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen
Sergio Perez chuffed with his finish as Daniel Ricciardo disappointed
The story was written by Duncan Leahy and edited by Darshan Chokhani
