Charles Leclerc has called for F1 to "get better" at handling certain scenarios following confusion at the end of the Japanese Grand Prix. The race ran to a shortened distance after being delayed due to wet conditions, with the 28-lap event eventually being won by Max Verstappen. Leclerc finished second before being demoted to third following a five-second time penalty for cutting a chicane on the last lap, meaning that Verstappen had done enough to win the World Championship. However, there was confusion amongst the teams over whether full or reduced points would be awarded, leaving Verstappen and Red Bull unsure over whether they had clinched the title or not.
Leclerc recalls "strange" scenario after Japanese GP
Leclerc admits that the situation after the race at Suzuka created a "strange" scenario, with Verstappen questioning whether he had won the World Championship. "It was a bit strange, because I think actually the first time they told Max he was the World Champion, he looked at me and he said, 'No, actually, I'm not,'" Leclerc told media, including RacingNews365.com . "And I was like, 'Maybe you are, because they are saying it'. So it was not clear for any of us. "It was a bit strange. There [were] so many things that weren't clear: the full points, not the full points; the penalty, not a penalty. So yeah, it was like this."
Leclerc expects discussions over how F1 can improve
Leclerc believes that talks will take place to look at how such a situation can be avoided in the future, with the Monegasque calling for the sport to make improvements in this area. "I do believe that we need to get better at this, for sure," Leclerc explained. "But I'm sure there will be discussions in the next few races in order for us to move forward and to get better." Whilst the title advantage had been with Verstappen for some time, Leclerc admits that it was still difficult to accept that his own championship hopes were over at Suzuka. When asked whether Verstappen's victory had brought him any sense of relief after the battle, the Ferrari driver said: "No. "As a driver, I want to win the title, so obviously as soon as I knew or realised that it was going to be very unlikely, it was difficult to accept. "[There was] no relief feeling whatsoever."
Most read
