Leclerc admits late VSC ‘saved’ Mexico podium from Verstappen

Charles Leclerc was left smiling after Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix – and relieved – after securing a hard-fought second place finish, his second straight podium in as many weekends.

The Ferrari driver produced a composed drive in the thin air of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, but readily acknowledged that the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) deployed on the penultimate lap of the race had been a stroke of luck that protected his position from an onrushing Max Verstappen.

After a hectic start that saw the Ferrari charger briefly veer off track while fighting with Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton into Turn 1, Leclerc quickly found his rhythm and settled into second behind the dominant McLaren.

From there, the challenge became one of tyre survival – a battle that looked increasingly desperate as Verstappen’s Red Bull began to loom larger in his mirrors in the final laps.

“Very happy with this weekend,” Leclerc said after the checkered flag. “Austin was very positive but to end up on the podium again is a great surprise. Very happy to be on this amazing podium again.”

Tyres Gone, VSC Timing Perfect

As Verstappen on fresher soft tyres began to close rapidly, Leclerc’s worn mediums were offering little resistance. The Monegasque knew his defence was on borrowed time when salvation appeared in the form of yellow flags triggered by Carlos Sainz’s stranded Williams.

“I was quite happy about the VSC at the end! My tyres were completely gone,” he admitted. “I could see Max was coming back on the softs. It was tough, but the VSC saved me at the end.”

The VSC was deployed after Sainz stopped within the stadium section, freezing the field and neutralising Verstappen’s attack. By the time the VSC ended, the chequered flag was already in sight – and Leclerc’s second place was safe.

For Ferrari, the 18-point haul was a much-needed boost after a tough few rounds. But for Leclerc, the satisfaction came not just from the result, but from how the team had regrouped after a challenging run earlier in the season.

“It’s great to be back fighting for these results again,” he said. “We’ve worked really hard to get the car into a window where I can push and feel confident. Today, that paid off.”

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Verstappen, who had hoped to snatch the runner-up spot in the dying moments, took the intervention in stride.

“You win some and you lose some,” the reigning champion said afterward. “Sometimes the safety car works for you and sometimes it works against you.”

For Leclerc, though, Mexico was anything but forgettable. The combination of strong pace, sharp strategy, and – yes – a little late-race luck earned him a result that reaffirmed his growing momentum.

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