Leclerc and Pérez will not do each other any favors for 2nd place in the championship

Max Verstappen having won his second world championship title in a row at Suzuka with four rounds remaining, he had to find a little suspense elsewhere at the end of the season. And inevitably, the fight for the honorary distinction of vice-world champion is obvious, especially when we take a look at the ranking and notice the only two small points which separate Charles Leclerc, 2th, of Sergio Perez, 3rd. 

The Monegasque, who entered the American round behind the Mexican, took back second place thanks to an inspired dive at turn 12 in Austin, for what was undoubtedly the most beautiful overtake of the Grand Prix. A maneuver which allowed him to secure his place on the podium and get back in front of Checo in the championship. 

Splendid 👌😎#USGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/v1TfGHlKru

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) October 23, 2022

Sitting side by side at a press conference in Mexico, the two men talked about their fight and showed real interest in this final second place. “Of course, with Ferrari, we work every day to win the championship, explained Leclerc, who will compete in his 100th Grand Prix in Formula 1 this weekend. This being no longer possible this year, we are now keen to use the last rounds to best prepare for 2023 in order to play for the title once again. Having said that, 2nd is better than 3rd… so we will give everything to beat Checo. »

Pérez: “I know that Charles (Leclerc) will always be aggressive but fair play”

Asked about the relationship they have with each other on the track, Pérez did not hesitate to point out the muscular nature of his younger brother's maneuvers, while recognizing in him a certain sportsmanship. “With Charles, the battles were always good, very close…he explained.  I don't think that will change regardless of the points difference between us when we arrive in Abu Dhabi. He's like that, and I don't see that changing. For my part too, I think I'm playing fair, and there's no reason for that to change either. »

Leclerc and Pérez were talkative at a press conference this Thursday. © Florent Gooden / DPPI

Charles, who is seeking a fourth victory in 2022 after his successes in Bahrain, Melbourne and Spielberg, expressed his impatience to return to action against the local hero. “If there is an opportunity, I will go, and I am sure Checo will do the same, he slipped. The more the season progresses, the fewer opportunities there are to seize to make a difference, and we also know that by fighting together, we can surely take more risks with each other. I'm sure we won't leave ourselves much room on track, but I'm looking forward to the battle. »

In Mexico, Checo will have a whole people behind him to support him, and good momentum after having scored his first podium during a Mexican Grand Prix last year. Charles Leclerc has some good memories here too, since he took pole position in 2019, even if he did not manage to make it a victory the next day, due to an endless pitstop poorly operated by Ferrari. See you at 21 p.m. Sunday for the rest of the duel between the two men.

ALSO READ > What difference does the altitude in Mexico make?