While approaching the podium at the end of the 2023 Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Max Verstappen told Charles Leclerc that he had made a second pit stop under Safety Car conditions, and the Monegasque’s reaction was unique.
The dialogue
The Dutch driver was describing the second phase of his race when he admitted to changing his tires during the Safety Car period after being involved in contact with George Russell.
At that point, Charles Leclerc asked him, “Did you stop under the Safety Car?” and Max promptly replied affirmatively.
The Ferrari driver’s reaction expressed astonishment and “resignation,” almost as if to say, “well, there was nothing I could do about it.”
Certainly, the Safety Car was crucial to Max Verstappen’s victory in the Las Vegas Grand Prix, as he perfectly exploited the advantage offered by the hard tires.
Lack of communication at Ferrari?
Charles Leclerc’s reaction suggests that the Monegasque was unaware of Max Verstappen’s second pit stop. This clearly raises questions, as his race engineer Xavier Marcos Padros could have (and in a sense should have) informed him, even though it would have changed little in terms of the race.
