From paradise in Australia to the “semi” hell of Imola. Formula 1, especially in recent years, is getting us more and more used to the fact that we must never take anything for granated and that each point can count a lot in the end. Today Charles Leclerc unfortunately realized this very well and lost a sure podium at Imola by going too far beyond the limits of the track and the car as he attempted to recover the gap and take second place from Sergio Perez.
Overall, however, the Monegasque was nevertheless fortunate in still being able to restart after the impact with the barriers, somewhat limiting the damage with eight points for a sixth place finish (which are added to the seven of the Sprint). Max Verstappen has undoubtedly recovered quite a bit and is now second in the standings, but the battle will still be very long, also looking at the speed put on track by Red Bull throughout the weekend in Italy:
“It wasn’t great. I’ve had a season where I haven’t done many mistakes until now, but today was one big one. Realistically, we didn’t have the pace of the Red Bull; they were too quick today for us in all the conditions. I tried to put a bit more speed in Turn 14 and 15 to be closer to Checo [Perez] to try and overtake him into Turn 2, because I saw that this was one of the only opportunities of the race, and I pushed too much. I paid a price for it and lost seven potential points compared to third place, so it is a shame. It’s seven points that are valuable at the end of the championship, for sure, and this shouldn’t happen again. Why I took risks, that’s a good question. I’ll ask myself that when I am a bit more calm. I clearly made a mistake. I pushed too hard and the car reacted weirdly on the kerb but it’s not an excuse.” – the Monegasque driver explained at the end of the 2022 Emilia Romagna GP.
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