[ad_1]
Mattia Binotto has hit back at the FIA for its “ridiculous and unacceptable” decision to penalise Charles Leclerc. The Ferrari boss suggested it was wrong to award penalties without speaking to Leclerc and Sergio Perez about their last lap incident. The team principal even suggested he could appeal the decision which could throw Max Verstappen’s title win in doubt.
Leclerc was handed a five-second penalty moments after the chequered flag for running wide at the final chicane. This proved decisive as it gave Verstappen the eight-point advantage over Leclerc that he needed to secure the championship.
Binotto also questioned why a decision was taken so quickly after it took hours to hand Perez a penalty in last week’s Singapore Grand Prix. Talking to Sky Sport Italia, Binotto said: “I have little desire to comment. I think the choice of the FIA is ridiculous and unacceptable.
“In the last race they took an infinite time to decide while today a few seconds. There was no advantage gained by Charles. We will talk about it in the appropriate places but this decision taken without even listening to drivers is unacceptable as there was no advantage gained.
READ MORE: F1 fans blast ‘disgraceful’ Sky Sports for pointing finger at Gasly
Perez backed the decision of the race stewards to award Leclerc a penalty for the last corner drama. He commented: “It was a bit hectic with Charles, good racing. I tried to make a move and he locked up and went off. The penalty was fair.”
Leclerc was unable to keep up with Verstappen as his intermediate tyres began to wear. It allowed Perez to close up on the back of the Monegasque with the pair battling in the closing stages.
Leclerc looked set to hold on and take the title fight to the United States before his error right at the end.
[ad_2]
