A Lot of Words, No Action: Charles Leclerc’s Abu Dhabi Finale Recap!

In the closing laps of the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix, Ferrari and Mercedes faced a tight battle for second place in the constructors’ championship. With only a few points separating them, both teams pushed their drivers to the limit. Ferrari’s Leclerc even went as far as to let Perez through for Red Bull, attempting to block Russell in an effort to secure second place for Ferrari.

With Perez carrying a five-second penalty, he needed a five-second gap to the front to claim a podium spot. Ferrari desperately needed Perez to distance Russell, as this would impact their final standings against Mercedes.

In those crucial laps, Leclerc queried his team on strategies, trying to understand Russell’s position. However, the team failed to provide a clear plan. He even considered drafting behind Perez to boost his speed, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.

Leclerc then resorted to another risky move, letting Perez pass while positioning himself strategically to block Russell. This was a high-risk strategy, as it required him to drop back without losing more than five seconds, but also risking his own position and the chance at second place.

Instead, he opted for a more symbolic “visual defense,” staying within Russell’s sight to disrupt his rhythm. Unfortunately, such tactics fell short in the professional realm of F1, and Ferrari’s efforts remained fruitless. Leclerc’s determination was evident, but he lacked the experience to turn words into action.

In the end, despite his words, Ferrari missed out on second place as Mercedes claimed it. Compared to drivers like Alonso or Hamilton who can sway the outcome, Leclerc’s experience deficit was apparent.