Verstappen feels Leclerc took "unnecessary risk" on opening lap in Sakhir

Max Verstappen's Sakhir Grand Prix came to a premature end after his evasive action caused him to crash on the opening lap of the Sakhir Grand Prix. The Dutchman believes Charles Leclerc took unnecessary risks which caused the incident.

"Start was okay, but then the cars around me were super aggressive. I just tried to stay out of trouble. Only Valtteri had a moment in turn two and we came next to each other. Then I saw that the gap was getting smaller and I didn't want to have a Singapore 2017 scenario. Then you brake earlier to stay out of trouble," explained Verstappen on Ziggo Sport.

Leclerc arrives late

"Then all of a sudden Charles arrived very late on the inside. That was an unnecessary risk. We're all in the front, you can't suddenly win two places there. That he won a spot with me, that's fine. That can happen. But to try to put the brakes on Checo, I was very optimistic.

"I think he just slowed down and was too enthusiastic. It was totally unnecessary. There are now two cars in the wall and one at the back. I just think it was stupid and it shouldn't have been," concluded the Red Bull driver.