Austin F1 start like a chess match – Charles Leclerc: "A winning move"
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A perfect clutch release and first acceleration for Charles Leclerc, who revealed an interesting backstory about the start in Austin after the race.
Charles Leclerc delivered a top-level performance in the United States Grand Prix. From the very first phases of the race, the Monegasque had a perfect race reading. This was despite a complicated qualifying for the Ferrari duo, which has become a characteristic of the SF-24. However, the GP result was created in the very early stages of the race, with Leclerc revealing a curious backstory about the start in Austin.
In the last GPs, Charles Leclerc has shown that he can manage tire wear over long distances exceptionally well. This indicates a maturity reached impeccably and demonstrates the evolution and growth achieved by the Monegasque. Throughout the 56 laps scheduled, except for safety car and pit stop situations, Charles Leclerc never went below 1:40, a sign of extreme confidence with his SF-24.
A car that has proven to be consistently effective over long distances, but also one that has solved some of the starting problems. The clutch release was perfectly executed by Charles Leclerc, who, approaching turn 1, had a great read on the battle ahead between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. The two title contenders “collided” due to a slight mistake by the Englishman, which left a door open for Max Verstappen to slip in with his RB20.
The start as a chess match
However, the deep braking and delayed trajectory forced the Dutchman to widen the turn, pushing Lando Norris out. Charles Leclerc, a privileged observer of this battle, took immediate advantage by tightening the line for better acceleration. This move “cleared” the way to success, which he then achieved with a dominant race pace over all his pursuers.
At the end of the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Charles Leclerc was asked about the start, specifically whether he was surprised by Max Verstappen’s move. "No, I wasn't surprised," Charles Leclerc replied candidly to F1TV microphones. "I knew Max would go full gas into turn 1, because in his position, there's not much to lose; he's leading the championship. I knew he would be very aggressive, so I went for it. I prepared the exit a bit better, and it was a winning gamble that helped us win the race." – the Ferrari driver concluded.
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