Let’s take a look at an analysis of Charles Leclerc’s start in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which saw him battling with Sergio Perez among the walls of Jeddah.
The Start
The initial stages of Charles Leclerc’s start in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix are very good. Before the lights go out, the engine is in the perfect rev range for the start (around 9800 rpm in the case of Ferrari). This can also be noticed from the LEDs lit on the steering wheel, a characteristic configuration of the Monegasque and different from Carlos Sainz, for example. As soon as the lights go out, Leclerc releases the clutch immediately without any wheel spin.
The moments just before the traffic lights turn off.. Source: f1ingenerale.com
His launch is particularly good, so much so that in the early stages of acceleration, he even gains ground on Max Verstappen, who is forced to close the inside. However, from the outside, Sergio Perez’s silhouette emerges, who had a perfect start (also aided by the clean side), even better than that of the pole sitter.
Approaching Turn 1
Once the braking zone towards Turn 1 begins, Charles Leclerc is blocked by Max Verstappen, which doesn’t allow him to brake as he would like. Sergio Perez takes advantage and gains valuable meters on the Monegasque, who, however, manages to get close during braking, and the two arrive side by side at the apex. The Mexican maintains a slight advantage and also has the trajectory of the next corner in his favor. A strategy studied at Red Bull?
So far, Sergio Perez seems destined to have the upper hand over the Monegasque, but here comes Charles Leclerc’s masterpiece. First, he holds on the outside and manages to stay alongside the Mexican, then he keeps the throttle down just inches from the wall. Perez squeezes, but always leaves just enough space. With great courage, Charles Leclerc doesn’t give up and manages to overtake Sergio Perez in the next corner, where he will have the advantage of the racing line.
Only a few centimeters separate Leclerc from the wall on the left and Perez on the right.
A fantastic battle between the two, tough but always leaving enough room for the opponent. However, Charles Leclerc’s defense lasted only a short while, as Sergio Perez visibly had more pace, and within a few laps, he regained the second position he had fought for at the start. Undoubtedly, the battle between the two remains one of the highlights of the GP, with the hope that it is only the first of many in the current season.
Source f1ingenerale
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