Charles Leclerc responds to aggressive Max Verstappen clash in tense US GP fight

22 October 2023 , 07:25

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Charles Leclerc (Image: Sky Sports)

Charles Leclerc believes Max Verstappen's aggressive start to the United States Grand Prix Sprint was "on the limit", but admits he "would have done exactly the same".

Verstappen started the Sprint on pole and pushed Leclerc wide heading into Turn 1 after the Ferrari star began to gain on him. The move ensured Verstappen was not overtaken and also allowed Lewis Hamilton to overtake Leclerc.

"To be honest, I would have done exactly the same if I was in his position," Leclerc admitted after the Sprint. "It's on the limit but I've always said in the past that's the way I like to fight. So this today didn't play out my way but that's fine, it's part of racing and I'm happy with it.

"It was very tight into Turn 1. Unfortunately, lost momentum by fighting Max, and Lewis will get alongside me. I still tried around the outside of Turn 2, which was quite tricky with cold tyres, and then getting into Turn 3 there was no way for me to keep going without colliding with Lewis, so I just lift off.

"It was very difficult from that moment onwards because we lost quite a bit in the first lap, then we didn't have the DRS, then I was just doing my own race. Lewis and Max were too strong, especially in the first few laps, then towards the end we were more on the pace of Lewis but it was too late."

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Verstappen, meanwhile, was delighted with his Sprint win and remains confident he can win the Grand Prix despite the fact he will start from sixth. "The pace has been always there, just unfortunate with a track limits in the first qualifying," he said.

"But today has been pretty straightforward. I think the only thing was lap one, turn one to try and stay ahead, but after that I think we just settled in nicely after a few laps. At one point I could just look after my tyres till the end and have a bit of fun at the end trying to push a bit more.

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"It was always like eight, nine tenths for a few laps, but that was all controlled into the braking zone. The DRS, with such big wings on this track, is quite powerful.

"Once I cleared the DRS, we all settled into our own rhythms, and I think the pace of the car was very good today. I'm definitely going to try [and win]. It's five cars to pass which is never straightforward.

"But with the pace I think we had today, hopefully with more fuel in the car tomorrow it will be even better. We will find out tomorrow but for sure this was a very positive day for us and hopefully we show something similar out there tomorrow."

Matthew Cooper