In a thrilling season finale, Charles Leclerc’s calculated attempt to aid Ferrari’s quest for second place in the Constructors’ Championship narrowly missed the mark. Despite his efforts, Mercedes clung to P2 by a mere three points, with Leclerc’s on-track tactics proving insufficient against the tenacity of Mercedes’ George Russell.
Catch up quick:
- Charles Leclerc attempted a last-ditch strategy to help Ferrari overtake Mercedes for second in the Constructors’ Championship.
- Leclerc gave Red Bull’s Sergio Perez a slipstream in the final lap to try and secure a penalty-affected position over Mercedes’ Russell.
- Despite Leclerc inheriting P2, Perez’s penalty demotion to P4 ensured Mercedes retained their championship standing.
- The strategy unfolded in the backdrop of Verstappen’s dominant performance and a penalty from a clash with Norris.
Go deeper:
In the heat of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Scuderia’s star driver, Charles Leclerc, engaged in a bit of high-speed chess. With the Constructors’ Championship hanging in the balance, Leclerc’s move was akin to a knight’s gambit, sacrificing position to gain a strategic advantage. The Monegasque driver’s goal was clear: manipulate the race outcome to edge out Mercedes by aiding Perez, who faced a time penalty.
The plan was simple yet audacious. On the final lap, Leclerc provided Perez with a slipstream, a racing technique where one car follows closely behind another to reduce air resistance and increase speed. This act of teamwork was designed to help Perez cross the finish line more than five seconds ahead of Russell, nullifying his penalty and reshuffling the final standings in Ferrari’s favor.
Alas, the fates were not in Maranello’s favor. Russell’s resilience kept him within the five-second window, thwarting Ferrari’s last-minute strategy. Leclerc’s post-race reflections revealed a mix of tactical insight and a tinge of disappointment. His focus had been twofold: challenge Verstappen for the lead and, when that proved untenable, shift gears to the Constructors’ battle.
Verstappen’s dominance was a recurring theme throughout the race, with Leclerc admitting that even if he had overtaken the Dutchman, maintaining the lead would have been unlikely. His early attempts to outpace Verstappen were spirited, yet ultimately, the focus shifted to the bigger picture – securing points for Ferrari.
Russell, on the other end of the strategic play, acknowledged the tension of the final laps and expressed gratitude for Leclerc’s sportsmanship. His third-place finish was more than a personal victory; it was a testament to the collective efforts of the team back at the factories in Brackley and Brixworth.
As the dust settles on the track, the outcome serves as a reminder of the razor-thin margins that define Formula 1. Strategies can be meticulously crafted, but their success hinges on countless variables, some beyond the control of even the most skilled drivers. For Ferrari and Leclerc, it was a valiant effort that fell just short, a narrative that will fuel their fire for the next season’s championship chase.
