F1’s Actions Raise Questions After Max Verstappen ‘Naughtily’ Exploits Unsaid Loophole to Trump Charles Leclerc at Las Vegas GP

The Las Vegas Grand Prix was definitely one of the most entertaining races this season. Not only on the track, we had some interesting events happening off the track as well. That being said, the on-track shenanigans were enough to make this one of the most thrilling races we’ve had all year.

We had the Sainz pothole incident, we had the Ferraris closing in the P2 gap in the constructor’s championship, and we had 99 on-track overtakes during the race! All that being said though, it was Max Verstappen who did win the race. He and his dominant Red Bull have been nearly untouchable all season. However, his on-track incident did raise a lot of questions.

Max Verstappen’s battle with Charles Leclerc

For most of the race, the battle for the lead was between Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Leclerc started the race in P1, and Verstappen inherited the second spot on the first row, thanks to Sainz being relegated to P12. However, this did not bode well for Verstappen. He was on the dirtier side of the circuit, giving Leclerc everything he needed to lead the race going into Turn 1.

However, the reality was a little different. Verstappen was late on his brakes and ended up pushing him and Leclerc out of the track limits. This aggressive move meant that he jumped the lead from Charles Leclerc, although he did get a 5-second penalty for this incident.

However, according to pundits, this 5-second penalty was not enough. According to them, he exploited a cheeky, unsaid loophole of it being a turn 1 incident. Because of this, he was able to get away easily with just a 5-second penalty. Damon Hill opines, “There is something about the 1st lap. What they let go and what they allow for on the 1st lap. If he done that on another lap, they would have said, ‘Listen, you have to give the place back because you gained a position’.”

Also read: Charles Leclerc Shown Glorious Dream as Momentary Brilliance Against Max Verstappen Puts Ferrari in Spotlight

A lot of the drivers made a mistake in lap 1 turn 1, including Fernando Alonso. Unlike Verstappen’s push off Leclerc, which just cost the latter one place, Alonso’s spin was enough to ruin the race completely for Bottas. Alonso, unlike Bottas, didn’t get a penalty. However, Charles wasn’t all too pleased with this situation. He was also of the opinion that he should have gotten the position back.

Leclerc confused about the bizarre ruling

Speaking to Natalie Pinkham after the race, Charles Leclerc was seemingly under the opinion that he should have gotten the place back. A 5-second penalty was not enough, according to him, for the kind of move Verstappen pulled into turn 1.

However, after some time, and discussions with Max, the Monegasque had a better understanding of what happened. Speaking to The Race, Leclerc stated “It was on the limit… Over the limit and I think the five-second penalty is deserved…… And that was the right penalty to give”

However, it is his hope that in the future, FIA will just ask the drivers to give the positions back. He states that in situations like this, “there’s quite a bit of an advantage to take care of tires when you have free air.” 

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Will FIA change this precedent anytime soon? Will they do it in Abu Dhabi, of all places? Let us know down below.