Charles Leclerc may have started the race just the way he wants with a pole position on his hand, however, with Max Verstappen. right behind him, it was only a matter of time before the “unluckiest driver” title caught up to him.
With Ferrari giving their absolute best and not ruining Leclerc’s pole position, the driver still could not grab a win. Ferrari has surely had one of the best seasons with podium wins and a race win that many teams could not beat Red Bull too.
However, with everything going right for the team and a 5-second penalty given to Max Verstappen for running off Leclerc, Ferrari still could not convert the pole into a race win. Meanwhile, the unstoppable Dutchman took his 18th win of the season.
Although this would be the first time that the Monza team did not mess up their pole sitter’s race, the driver could only get himself to a P2 after just narrowly stealing the position from Sergio Perez. And needless to say, the Monegasque was not pleased with himself.
Leclerc 📻:
“YEAH! That is the f*****g second place. Ahhhh.”
“I wanted that race win so bad. But what a race. There is nothing left.”#F1 #LasVegasGP pic.twitter.com/UTnrjuci46
— Autosport (@autosport) November 19, 2023
As the team radio chimed in right after the race, Leclerc sounded distraught although winning a podium yet again this season. The driver said, “YEAH! That is the f*****g second place. Ahhhh. I wanted that race to win so badly. But what a race. There is nothing left.”
It seems that the driver is done this season having won behind Verstappen just like Lando Norris. Nonetheless, this got the team a better result for the weekend after the penalty that Sainz served.
Charles Leclerc serves a masterclass battle against Sergio Perez
Charles Leclerc may not have lived up to the standards that Carlos Sainz set this season with his race win, but he surely knew he was not leaving the Las Vegas GP empty-handed after the pole position he earned this weekend.
Although Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc are arguably the unluckiest drivers this season, it did not stop the two from putting on one of the best shows by risking it all. Las Vegas GP did not start in the best way with Sainz getting an “unfair penalty” and Max Verstappen loathing every minute of the weekend, Leclerc and Perez decided to make the weekend a little better.
He never gave up 💪
Charles Leclerc’s incredible last-lap overtake on Sergio Perez for second place! 🤯😮💨#LasVegasGP #F1 @ScuderiaFerrari @Charles_Leclerc pic.twitter.com/xHWOCghqwA
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 19, 2023
Leaving fans with the thrill and adrenaline of watching an actual race as the two battled up close and left many clenching the edge of their seats, Leclerc pulled off a masterclass with a significantly slower car and yet beat Perez to a P2 in the final moments of the last lap.
The driver and the Mexican went wheel to wheel with Perez having the upper hand by just being in an RB19, Leclerc only had his luck which somehow transferred to Sainz for the weekend and his hunger for at least a P2.
In the very last moments, Leclerc pulled a Fernando Alonso as he beat the Red Bull driver with a difference of just 0.171 seconds.