Charles Leclerc Sent Carlos Sainz a One-Lap Ultimatum Moments Before Disastrous Start

Hold on to your helmets! Formula 1 delivered another show-stopper at the Mexican GP. Charles Leclerc spearheaded the cavalcade down the stretching path to turn one for the formation lap. The energy was electric. The top-13 scorched the tarmac on medium tires, with Alex Albon and Esteban Ocon right behind them on hards. An interesting twist? Lando Norris, choosing a solo flight with softs, took his position at 17th. Amid all this, Leclerc and Sainz were at the forefront and the 5-time race winner made it clear to not tolerate any shenanigans from the Spaniard.

As lights went out, Max Verstappen rocketed ahead, seizing the lead at turn one! But, oh no, the heartbreak that followed! The Mexican GP’s golden boy, Sergio Perez, collides with Leclerc, making the crowd’s enthusiasm fade into a sea of groans. Leclerc’s front wing was shattered, and Perez? Heartbreakingly off track! Certainly, the Monegasque’s race start didn’t go exactly as planned, dropping from pole & getting all chaotic with the home hero.

Charles Leclerc mishap, Perez’s nightmare, Mexico race start turns out a thriller!

As motorsport fans around the world replay the key moments from the Mexican Grand Prix, the question that remains at the forefront is: who was at fault? Video footage clearly showcases the critical moment when Perez, in an audacious maneuver, tried to overtake Leclerc but ended up making contact with the Ferrari’s wheel. Had there been just a bit more space between the two, the outcome might have been drastically different.

Interestingly, the anticipation for such an intense race was palpable from the beginning. The tension was evident right from the start, highlighted by an exchange over the Ferrari team radio:

Charles: “It’s crucial to stay in front”
Pitwall: “Can you work as a team?”
Charles: “We can work as a team after lap 1 before that there is too much that can change.”

Clearly, Leclerc wanted to avoid a crash with Sainz. Perez came out of nowhere to fulfill the 25-year-old’s worst expectation going into Turn 1.

Unfortunately for Ferrari and Charles Leclerc, the day didn’t pan out as hoped. It was an even grimmer day for Sergio Perez. The Mexican GP start was nothing short of spectacular, with high-speed pursuits, heartbreaking moments, and the undying spirit of racing. The rest of the race may have made many fans doze off, yet it has stirred up the pot for Sergio Perez’s future.

Read More: “We Don’t Have a Car to Win”: Despite Fred Vasseur’s Warning, Charles Leclerc Throws in the Towel Before Mexican GP

Sergio Perez’s home race dream cut short in a dramatic turn-1 collision

Setting the stage, Perez showcased his racing prowess from the get-go. With a remarkable takeoff, he quickly maneuvered past the grid, leaving only two cars in his wake – Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen. As the trio approached the notoriously lengthy stretch leading into Turn 1, it became a game of inches and split-second decisions. But as we all know, sometimes in racing, the math doesn’t add up. Trying to fit three world-class drivers into a two-car space? You’re asking for sparks!

Caught in what can only be described as a Red Bull sandwich, Leclerc made contact with Perez. This caused the number 11 Red Bull car to be momentarily airborne. Though Perez managed to steer his car back to the pits after this aerial escapade, the damage was done. Heartbreakingly, the Red Bull team decided to retire his car, cutting short what could have been a memorable race for the Mexican sensation.

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Whether this could be the defining moment for Checo & his future at Red Bull, time will tell. But it certainly was the worst outcome for him. Perhaps he even compromised Leclerc’s race who could have been in a better place to take 2nd place behind Verstappen without that Lap 1 contact.