Leclerc reveals what he has in common with Verstappen: 'I can be that as well'
Photo: Race Pictures
Tobia is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog with experience at international circuits. Since 2022, he has covered Grands Prix across Europe, delivering reliable coverage and insights from the paddock.
Charles Leclerc has reflected on his intense opening-lap battle with Max Verstappen at the United States Grand Prix, admitting that the Red Bull driver caught him by surprise despite knowing how aggressively he would defend his position. The Ferrari driver eventually finished second in Austin, ahead of the Dutchman, after an eventful race that began with the pair fighting wheel-to-wheel.
Leclerc reflects on fierce opening-lap battle with Verstappen
Leclerc started the United States Grand Prix knowing that getting past Verstappen would be no easy task. The two drivers went wheel-to-wheel through the opening corners, with the Ferrari driver managing to come out ahead before facing another challenge from the four-time world champion later in the lap.
Speaking to Viaplay after the race, Leclerc explained that he had expected an aggressive fight, particularly given Verstappen's reputation for refusing to give his rivals an easy opportunity to overtake.
"I knew it was going to be tight. Max is an animal on track, and I feel like sometimes when I close the visor, I can be that as well. And that's why it's exciting because I know he's not going to leave me much space, and the same I will do for him."
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Photo: Race Pictures
Although Leclerc initially gained the upper hand, Verstappen responded at Turn 15, catching the Monegasque off guard. The Ferrari driver admitted that his limited battery charge would probably have made it difficult to defend his position much longer.
"It was good to end up on top after those first few corners, but then he surprised me again in Turn 15. Yeah. But I don't think I would have kept him behind because I had very low battery, so I probably would have struggled to keep him behind later on."
Leclerc fights back to beat Verstappen and finish second
Leclerc's opening-lap battle was only the beginning of his fight with Verstappen. After losing second place to the Dutchman, the Ferrari driver settled into the race before making his first pit stop on lap 16, switching from soft to medium tyres. The change helped him find a stronger rhythm, although Antonelli continued to control proceedings at the front.
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Ferrari subsequently brought Leclerc in for a second stop on lap 40, fitting hard tyres for the final stint. The Monegasque immediately showed impressive pace on the fresh compound, closing the gap to the drivers ahead as Verstappen struggled to maintain his earlier speed. Leclerc first overtook Lando Norris before catching the Red Bull driver and completing the move for second place.
Having regained the position he briefly held on the opening lap, Leclerc crossed the line thirteen seconds behind Antonelli, securing his second-place finish ahead of Verstappen. His Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton finished fourth, just over a second behind the Dutchman.
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