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Imago

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Imago

Despite all the negative chatter and the criticism and the constant battering of the sport because of the various annoying aspects of the Las Vegas GP prep, what a weekend it has been. There was not only drama during the qualifying session but the race had everything! Crashes, safety cars, multiple race leaders, and last-lap drama. In fact, as pointed out by Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur, the Las Vegas GP also saw Max Verstappen and Co. being subjected to a scenario for the first time in the season.

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This scenario came to the fold all thanks to the brilliance of Charles Leclerc throughout the season. The Monegasque might’ve sadly extended his unwanted record of not winning a race after starting it in pole position. However, the Ferrari man gave a good account of him throughout the weekend, despite some favoritism, and he was responsible for turning the table on Red Bull for the first time in the season.

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Max Verstappen and Co. see the tables turn in the Las Vegas GP for the first time in the season

The Ferrari boss pointed this scenario out in his post-race interview. He pointed out how no driver on the grid has overtaken the Red Bull cars three times during the race. Leclerc not only fulfilled this rare scenario but also made a pass on both the Red Bull cars at different points in the race making the three passes extra special. Special is exactly how Vasseur feels about them as well.

“Charles was mega. He overtook the RB three times today – no one’s done that this season, he delightedly expressed.

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“Carlos also had a good comeback, all things considered. The SC helped us on one side, didn’t on the other, but we can be satisfied with the drivers and the team’s work today,” Vasseur concluded.

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The Mongasque was brilliant throughout the weekend but couldn’t capitalize on it because of the unfortunate timing of the safety car. However, even though it did not look like it, he secured the consolation price in dramatic fashion sending the fans into a frenzy.

Read More: “He Can Be Beaten”: Charles Leclerc Gives Tifosi a Ray of Hope Despite Crawling 201 Points Behind the Unbeatable

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Charles Leclerc served Sergio Perez the same heartbreak in the Las Vegas GP as Fernando Alonso did in Brazil

Despite not being able to capitalize on his milestone pole position into a win, Charles Leclerc was incredible throughout the weekend. The Monegasque not only passed the Red Bulls twice but made his last overtaking maneuver in the most crucial part of the race, the last lap.

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Leclerc after being passed by Perez in the last stint was running in P3 but stuck to his guns and snatched the position back from the Mexican in the last lap of the race. The last straight with DRS, Leclerc managed to secure P2 and perhaps salvage the race to some extent.

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However, for Perez, he has suffered the same outcome twice in as many races now. In Brazil, Fernando Alonso snatched the final podium place from the Mexican right at the very end.

WATCH THIS STORY | Will Daniel Ricciardo Get Swapped in for Sergio Perez at Red Bull? 

Both these incidents are a source of a great job and excitement for the fans albeit it’s at the expense of Perez. Regardless, the Mexican secured his P2 spot in the driver’s championship to make it a 1-2 in the overall standings for the first time in the team’s history. A win for the team!

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Written by

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Mahim Suhalka

2,204 Articles

Mahim is a senior Formula 1 writer at EssentiallySports. With a Diploma in Sports Management, he ventured into sports journalism for his sheer passion for F1. Mahim has written over 2000 articles during his tenure at ES, and his expertise is in perspective pieces and core sports coverage. Mahim’s writing flair and meticulous research work have resulted in him contributing to in-depth analysis on teams like Red Bull and Mercedes as well as Team Principals Christian Horner and Toto Wolff. His support for Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team and their #44 driver Lewis Hamilton came naturally after being awestruck by the brilliance during his foray into F1. You can follow him on X @MahimSuhalka.

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Aishwary Gaonkar

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