Charles Leclerc said he was to blame for a first-lap collision with Sergio Perez which put the Ferrari driver out of the race and caused Max Verstappen’s retirement.
Charles Leclerc dived down the inside of Sergio Perez at turn four, knocking the Racing Point driver into a spin.
The collision forced Verstappen to run wide. The Red Bull driver ran out of room at the exit of the corner and hit the barrier, retiring along with Leclerc, while Perez continued.
Charles Leclerc told Sky he misjudged what Perez was going to do at turn four, assuming he was going to try to pass Valtteri Bottas on the outside of the corner.
“Basically I was in fifth and I was side-by-side a bit behind Max and tried to overtake him into turn four.
“I had seen Checo [Perez] but I expected him to go around the outside of Valtteri and stay there. But there but I think he decided after to come back in the inside and I was there and then it was too late for me too slow down. So I don’t think it’s a mistake from Checo, I’m not putting the blame on Checo, if there’s anybody to blame today it’s me. But I would say it’s more unfortunate than blame.”

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