Former F1 World Champion DEFENDS Sergio Perez’s maneuver on Charles Leclerc that sabotaged his run at Mexican GP

Jenson Button commented on Sergio Perez’s early exit from his home Grand Prix and the collision that saw the Mexican out.

Former F1 World Champion DEFENDS Sergio Perez’s maneuver on Charles Leclerc that sabotaged his run at Mexican GP

Sergio Perez and Jenson Button (via imago)

Sergio Perez’s hopes for a triumphant performance at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez Circuit were dashed early. The Mexican, eager for a comeback, faced a disappointing turn of events right at the first corner. Max Verstappen produced a marvelous start from P3 while Perez got an even better one from P5, this blistering start off the line saw Perez compete with Leclerc and Verstappen as the three approached Turn 1.

However, his ambitious outside move on Leclerc’s Ferrari ended in a clash, abruptly ending his Mexican Grand Prix with a DNF. It was a bitter disappointment for Perez, who had hoped for a fairy tale at his home Grand Prix but found misfortune instead. Jenson Button, former World Champion with Brawn GP, defended Perez’s crash as he claimed that the Mexican was left with no choice but to attack Leclerc into Turn 1. Button said As reported by Express.co.uk, Button commented on it. 

What is Checo supposed to do? He couldn't just lift off before the corner and pull in behind because looking at that [replay] there were cars there. So they would have had the opportunity to drive down the outside of him and cause mayhem.
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Jenson Button continued to describe how the three drivers, Leclerc, Verstappen, and Perez going into a turn together was the cause behind the crash rather than a misstep from Perez. 

I think Checo thought he had enough room for Charles on the inside, else he wouldn't have turned in. He didn't want to crash, but he just didn't judge the situation of two cars inside him. This is the issue when you have cars that start really well and cars that don't start so well, and the drag is too long to Turn One.

Ferrari’s Frederic Vasseur also acquitted Sergio Perez of the blame for his first-lap collision with Charles Leclerc

Sergio Perez’s recent struggles in his Red Bull car took an unfortunate turn at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez Circuit. This race was expected to be a homecoming triumph for the Mexican driver, with his fans eagerly cheering him on. However, Perez’s aspirations turned sour right at the start as he collided with Charles Leclerc, ending his home Grand Prix at the very first turn.

Frederic Vasseur (via Imago)
Frederic Vasseur (via Imago)

Ferrari’s Team Principal, Frederic Vasseur, offered a surprising perspective on the incident by absolving Sergio Perez of blame. He pointed out the chaotic start, with three cars going side by side into the corner. Perez, starting from P5, made a remarkable launch and found himself alongside Leclerc and Verstappen as they approached Turn 1. Perez attempted an outside pass on Leclerc’s Ferrari but was met with Leclerc’s stern resistance, resulting in a collision that ended Perez’s race.

Vasseur humorously likened the situation to a “panini” rather than a sandwich with Leclerc sandwiched between the two Red Bull drivers. Vasseur’s humor about the incident is supposedly said to stem from the fact that the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc was largely left ‘unscathed’ to claim a podium for the Italian team.