Leclerc Doubts Overtaking at Mexico GP: Race Could Be Decided at Turn One
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- Charles Leclerc menilai karakteristik Sirkuit Hermanos Rodriguez yang minim grip membuat manuver salip hampir mustahil dilakukan pada balapan Minggu.
- Meski tampil dominan di sesi latihan bebas, pembalap Ferrari itu harus puas start ketiga di belakang Hamilton dan Russell.
- Persaingan gelar kian memanas karena hanya selisih sembilan poin memisahkan posisi kedua hingga kelima, sementara Antonelli berpeluang mengunci titel di Meksiko.
Charles Leclerc predicts the Formula 1 Mexico GP will be a monotonous race. The Ferrari driver believes the lack of tire grip at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit makes overtaking nearly impossible, so the running order is likely to be locked in from the early corners.
Leclerc had actually shown promise in Friday's free practice sessions, where he was fastest in both. However, that performance did not carry over into qualifying. He had to settle for third on the grid, behind his teammate Lewis Hamilton, who took his first pole position with Ferrari, and George Russell of Mercedes on the front row.
Despite being disappointed with his qualifying result, Leclerc remains optimistic about his car's race pace. He acknowledged that Ferrari's race speed is competitive, but his big doubt concerns the chances of overtaking. "I think the pace is good. The car has felt comfortable since FP1, so we have a basis for the race. But I doubt there will be much overtaking tomorrow," he said in a press conference after qualifying.
"I tried harder in FP2, and it was very difficult because the overtake mode doesn't help much. So the position after Turn 3 will be very decisive and after that it's hard to overtake. It's a shame I didn't deliver at the crucial moment."
Leclerc's remarks underscore the technical challenge typical of Mexico. The circuit, located more than 2,200 meters above sea level, has low air pressure that reduces downforce and makes it hard for tires to reach optimal temperature. The condition is compounded by a track layout with several slow corners and long straights, which nonetheless often makes the race processional.
Nevertheless, Leclerc is not ruling out exploiting Hamilton's slipstream at Turn 1. "I'll stay focused and see what's possible. Turn 1 here is always interesting," he added. However, he realizes a good start will be the main key because once past Turn 3, the chance to pull off an overtaking maneuver is very slim.
On the other hand, qualifying was a historic moment for Hamilton. The seven-time world champion finally took his first pole position since joining Ferrari at the start of this season. The achievement signals that Hamilton's adaptation to his new team is starting to find clarity, even though several races remain this season.
The battle in the drivers' standings is also getting tighter. Leclerc is currently fifth with 233 points, but only nine points behind second place. Meanwhile, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli leads the standings and has a strong chance of sealing the world title at the Mexico GP this weekend. Russell follows in second, Hamilton third, and Max Verstappen fourth.
With a track character that makes overtaking difficult, the Mexico GP could become a contest of pit stop strategy and tire durability. Teams will need to be sharp in exploiting every opportunity, especially if a safety car appears and changes the order. For Leclerc, an aggressive start at Turn 1 is his only hope of improving his position before the race is truly locked in.
The question is whether the Mexican circuit will again deliver a race with little overtaking, or become a stage for surprises from drivers bold enough to take risks at the first corner?
