Charles Leclerc reveals Suzuka confusion as he mistook Sergio Perez for Max Verstappen | 2023 Japanese GP. Charles Leclerc reveals confusion in Japanese GP.

Charles Leclerc, the Scuderia Ferrari driver, initially thought he was headed for a podium finish at the Suzuka circuit in the Japanese Grand Prix, which took place earlier today. He mistakenly believed that Sergio Perez’s Red Bull, which eventually retired from the race, belonged to the race winner Max Verstappen.

The Monegasque ultimately finished in fourth place, just over seven seconds behind Oscar Piastri’s McLaren in third. However, he only realized he wasn’t on the podium during the final lap of the Japanese Grand Prix.

After crossing the finish line at Suzuka, Charles Leclerc appeared somewhat baffled about the race. He seemed to believe he had overtaken Max Verstappen on lap 14, but, in reality, he had lapped Sergio Perez.

Sergio Perez’s Red Bull was involved in a first-lap collision with Lewis Hamilton and later retired after a second crash with the Haas of Kevin Magnussen. He entered the pits to retire the car at the end of lap 14 during a Virtual Safety Car period, although he did rejoin the race later to serve a penalty and therefore avoid taking it in the following Grand Prix.

“I saw Max stopping at the Virtual Safety Car or after the Safety Car, I don’t know what happened there, and I thought he wasn’t in the race anymore,” Charles Leclerc explained as he believed the Dutchman was out of the race – “So I thought I was doing a podium until the last lap where I actually looked at the board and I was P4, but yeah, I mean, there were really strong. Max of course, we expected him to be strong. We expected Checo [Perez] also, but I don’t know what happened for him and the two McLarens, too.” – the Ferrari man added.

When inquired whether he believed he had observed Max Verstappen decelerate on one of the large screens positioned around the Suzuka, Charles Leclerc included: “No, he slowed down at one point no? Exit of turn 14. I think it was the VSC, he basically stopped on the left and we all overtook him.” – the Monegasque pointed out.

The reporters explained to Charles that in fact it was Max Verstappen’s teammate who the Monegasque overtook on lap 14: “Oh right okay. That’s what it was. I thought Max was out of the race at that moment it was just confusing for me.”