The opening metres of the Singapore Grand Prix proved to be among the most crucial moments of the entire race, as is often the case on street circuits. The front row featured two leading Formula 1 drivers in Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, and when the Red Bull driver made a less-than-perfect getaway, it initially appeared that the Ferrari man might be able to take advantage.
However, when they reached the braking zone, the four-time world champion hit the brakes at exactly the right moment while Charles Leclerc moved slightly aside, partly because of the risk of running off the track. Once that opportunity disappeared, the Ferrari driver had little choice but to slot in behind the Red Bull. The decisive start has since become another talking point in the wider analysis of where Charles Leclerc missed his chance against Max Verstappen at Marina Bay.
Davide Valsecchi questions Charles Leclerc’s approach against Max Verstappen
After the race, debate centred on what Charles Leclerc should have done differently and whether he needed to be more aggressive rather than conservative. According to Davide Valsecchi, Ferrari’s number 16 could certainly have taken a bigger risk, although he believes going up against Max Verstappen in such circumstances is an unequal contest.
“In a race where not much happened, the start was fundamental. That is the moment when you see a driver’s talent, and Max was the perfect example. He didn’t get the best start, but he braked at exactly the right point to allow himself to use all of the track, arriving with his tyres right on the limit of the white line. The only thing Charles Leclerc could have done was match a braking move like that, force him wide and then make him give the position back,” the former driver said on the Chiacchiere da Box podcast.
The opening battle was particularly significant because track position played such an important role at Marina Bay. Charles Leclerc ultimately remained behind Max Verstappen, with the Ferrari driver unable to convert his stronger initial launch into the lead. More coverage of his season, race results and Ferrari performances can be found in the Charles Leclerc Ferrari news section.
Valsecchi says Charles Leclerc could have taken the risk
Davide Valsecchi went further, arguing that Charles Leclerc’s championship situation meant he could have afforded to take a more aggressive approach in the battle.
“Charles Leclerc could have gone for it, he isn’t fighting for the World Championship, but you don’t think about that in the moment. You are on the inside and all you see is the tighter line. Listening to what he said afterwards, he believed he was in the right place and that Max Verstappen would miss the braking point, but as always, he was perfect,” Davide Valsecchi added.
The episode was one of the defining moments of Charles Leclerc’s Singapore Grand Prix and followed a weekend in which the Ferrari driver had put himself in a position to challenge from the front row. A broader look at his eventual second-place finish and Ferrari’s performance is available in the analysis of why Charles Leclerc’s Singapore result gave Ferrari encouragement.
Marco Melandri also urges Charles Leclerc to show more aggression
Marco Melandri joined Davide Valsecchi in calling for the Monegasque driver to take greater risks when such opportunities arise, arguing that the championship situation should encourage Charles Leclerc to demonstrate his determination even if it means risking a penalty.
“When you have those opportunities, you can’t waste them; you should rather take a penalty. The championship is lost, but you have to show that you still want to fight, otherwise the fans criticise you as soon as you have a bad race, or Lewis Hamilton is more competitive than usual,” Marco Melandri said.
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