Charles Leclerc “not the type of guy” to hold a grudge with Sergio Perez

Perez and Leclerc in Austria — Photo: © LAT Images

Austrian GP

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Leclerc “not the type of guy” to hold a grudge with Perez

Red Bull and Ferrari drivers clashed twice during Austrian race

Ian Parkes & Will Gray

Monday 5 July 2021 17:54

Charles Leclerc has “cleared the air” with Sergio Perez after the Red Bull driver forced him off track twice during a frantic overtaking battle in Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix.

Leclerc was desperate to get past Perez after fighting his way up through the field from 13th on the grid but twice found himself in the gravel after trying to squeeze by.

The incidents resulted in Perez being handed two separate five-second penalties that demoted him from fifth to sixth at the end of the 71 laps at the Red Bull Ring.

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“I was definitely in front at the apex,” he said. “He had to leave a space on the exit, but he knows he overstepped it a bit. We spoke and he apologised straight away after the race.

“It’s fine. I’m not the type of guy who is staying on it for so long, so the air is cleared and I will go forward.”

It was a similar incident to one that occurred at the same event two years ago when Leclerc lost the win as Max Verstappen pushed him wide through turn two only for that manoeuvre to go unpunished.

Leclerc added: “You can argue that two years ago I was not in front at the apex or we were very close, at least, but I feel like this one was a little bit different

“The consequences were bigger for me. There was gravel, not tarmac, and I was also in front at the apex around the outside so normally you need to leave space.”

Binotto – Stewards were right

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto praised the stewards for acting to penalise Perez for both moves, which he feels potentially cost Ferrari a handful of points that would have been available had Leclerc been able to pass.

Leclerc eventually finished eighth, while team-mate Carlos Sainz, who started a place in front in 12th, managed to climb to fifth position, passing Daniel Ricciardo late in the race thanks to a set of fresher tyres.

Binotto said: ”I see it as the stewards saw it, it has been penalised. The very first one, certainly, Charles was already ahead and has been pushed off the track. There are no discussions there at all.

“On the second, maybe a bit more racing situation but the stewards decided again it was to be penalised.

“It was a shame for Charles because those two accidents have penalised his final result. I am pretty sure if he had been able to overtake Perez, his final race result would certainly have been a lot better.

“The place of Carlos was a good race result. Here in Austria for the characteristics, it is difficult to do more or to do better. Charles could have done better if he had not had, let me say, these difficulties in overtaking Perez.

“It was a good team result, good team spirit. When we asked Charles to swap with Carlos at the end he did it immediately, no discussion, and that is somehow showing really that most drivers understand the importance of the team.”