Charles Leclerc relieved as Mexico GP virtual safety car stopped Max Verstappen’s attack

Charles Leclerc was happy to see the virtual safety car on the penultimate lap of the Mexico Grand Prix. After he fought off a fast Max Verstappen in pursuit of second place, the Monegasque admitted the safety car saved him.

“Very happy with this weekend," he said after the race. "Austin was very positive but to end up on the podium again is a great surprise. Very happy to be on this amazing podium again."

After a tricky race start, Leclerc was able to hold track position after a strong opening phase of his race. But with Verstappen gaining on soft tyres while his rubber started to give way, the gap between him and the reigning champion started falling away.

The virtual safety car, caused by Williams's Carlos Sainz stopping within the stadium section, came at a good time for the Ferrari driver.

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“I was quite happy about the VSC at the end! My tyres were completely gone. I could see Max was coming back on the softs,” he said. “It was tough, but the VSC saved me at the end.”

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Photo by: James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images

With the VSC also neutralising the threat of Oscar Piastri to not only Ollie Bearman but also Lando Norris, the Briton is now a single point ahead of his team-mate in the drivers' standings. The VSC threatened to bring the race to a slow end, but fortunately for fans, who had enjoyed an exciting race up to this point, the drivers had a final half a lap to race to the chequered flag.

“You win some and you lose some," Verstappen said on his attack on Leclerc being stifled by the VSC. "Sometimes the safety car works for you and sometimes it works against you.”

Leclerc scored 18 points for the Scuderia while his team-mate Lewis Hamilton suffered from a 10-second penalty earlier in the race. Finishing eighth, he brought home only four from his side of the garage.

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