Christian Horner sympathises with Ferrari after failed "calculated risk"

Verstappen, Leclerc, Monaco — Photo: © LAT Images

Monaco Grand Prix

Horner sympathises with Ferrari after failed "calculated risk"

Leclerc was unable to start his home race from pole after a driveshaft issue

Ewan Gale

Thursday 27 May 2021 17:14

Christian Horner has declared himself 'feeling sorry' for Ferrari after Charles Leclerc missed out on the chance to start from pole in the weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.

Leclerc has failed to see the chequered flag at his home race in any category, let alone F1, but qualified on pole for Ferrari despite crashing out of Q3.

The Monégasque' never started Sunday's race, though, due to a driveshaft failure as a consequence of his accident, allowing second-on-the-grid Max Verstappen put on a masterclass around the twisting street circuit.

"Max benefitted from Charles' misfortune so it was bad luck for them," said Horner.

"Max really took control of the race from the start and literally controlled the whole afternoon. He was quick when he needed to be and looked after his tyres really well. A phenomenal performance.

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"But you have got to feel for Ferrari a bit. Obviously, they made a calculated risk. Max was disappointed that we didn't get to see what he could have delivered but he dealt with his frustration well.

"When the opportunity presented itself he took it with both hands. Also, Checo [Perez] drove a very strong race so a great performance from him as well."

Red Bull has taken its first championship lead since its dominant 2013 triumph after Mercedes endured a shocking weekend with Valtteri Bottas retiring with a wheel nut issue and Lewis Hamilton finishing seventh.

After Perez drove his best race of the season to narrowly miss out on a podium despite starting eighth, Horner explained: "It was important to take our chances.

"Mercedes had a rare off-day and it was important to convert that. As a team, we did that.

"We are leading both championships, the first time we have done that in the hybrid era so it is really encouraging.

"Nobody is getting carried away, there is still a long way to go in the championship and to be as close as we are at this stage is very encouraging."