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Verstappen says Leclerc was 'reckless' on opening lap - Stewards agree

Red Bull's Max Verstappen blamed a "reckless" Charles Leclerc for the pair's exit on the opening lap of Sunday's Sakhir Grand Prix.

Verstappen was running into Turn 4 shortly when Leclerc overdid did on the inside and hit Racing Point's Sergio Perez, spinning around the future race winner.

Verstappen ran wide as he took avoiding action but veered onto the run-off area and into the barrier, followed by Leclerc's Ferrari.

"The start wasn’t bad but of course Valtteri squeezed so I had to back out,” Verstappen said.

"Basically from there onwards it was all about just surviving between the cars, I don’t know why they were being so aggressive and so recklesss.

"We were all out in the front and at the end of the day three cars were a victim of that, two cars of course heavily. I don’t know why Charles especially dives down at Turn 4 like that, especially braking that late.

"Checo cannot see what is happening and he basically just locked up his front and went in, and because of Checo spinning backwards I just tried to go around the outside not to damage my car but there’s nothing you can do there."

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Speaking after the incident, Leclerc owned up to his mistake that led to his contact with Perez and Verstappen's demise.

"I was in fifth and I was side-by-side or just behind Max and tried to overtake him into Turn 4," explained the Monegasque

"I had seen Checo but I expected him to go round the outside of Valtteri and stay there but I think he decided to come back to the inside and I was there and it was too late for me to slow down.

"I don’t think it’s a mistake from Checo, I am not putting the blame on Checo, if there is anyone to blame today it was me. But more than anything I think it was unfortunate than a blame."

The Ferrari driver's action was sanctioned by the Sakhir GP Stewards who deliberated after the race and handed Leclerc a 3-place grid penalty for next week's Abu Dhabi GP fro causing a collision.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.