Leclerc: "If there is a way, Max is probably not going to tell it here"

So far, the battle between the provisional title contenders is going to be a lot friendlier than the one in 2021. Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc fought an intense duel for the win in Jeddah, but also kept a close eye on each other in terms of the rules.

During the race, Verstappen noted that Leclerc crossed the white line of the pit lane twice and that he closed the gap very quickly while the yellow flag was waved in the closing stages of the race.

Conversely, the eyes were also focused on the competition. Verstappen would have closed the gap to Leclerc during the virtual safety car, while in that situation the gap should remain the same. During the press conference after the race both drivers were asked how they managed that.

"I think that's more of a question for Max," Leclerc laughed. "If there's a way, I'm sure he's not going to tell it here." The logical explanation is not very exciting: it is more common for drivers to let the gap get a little bigger, only to close it again in an attempt to keep the tires at temperature.