McLaren’s Lando Norris believes Charles Leclerc had every right to pass Max Verstappen, after the Red Bull driver made a mistake and spun prior to the restart during the Emilia Romagna Formula 1 Grand Prix at Imola.
Leclerc ultimately chose not too, instead he slowed down to allow Verstappen to recover his position in the lead of the race.
Norris, who was following Leclerc in third place, said he would have pounced on that opportunity to claim the lead.
“I had a great view of it – it’s quite funny,” said Norris, who finished third to claim his second F1 podium. “I think Charles could’ve gone past, in my opinion.
“At that stage, Max was out of control and going left and Charles can’t just hit the brakes and slow down and stop, at some point he has to go past Max, because he was facing the barrier for a lot of the corner.
“It’s all four wheels off track, but at the same time, Max was going very slow so it’s like Leclerc could’ve driven past him at that point.
“If I was in P2 I think I would’ve gone for it, because you have a chance of winning then. So, it’s a risk [that’s] worth it.
“I don’t know, we have to maybe ask the guys in charge what the exact ruling is.”
The Ferrari driver said after the race that he “considered” passing Verstappen, but ultimately chose not too, adding: “I think looking back at it, it was the right choice because I think he always had one wheel on the track.”
Leclerc went on to finish fourth, after being overtaken by Norris at the restart. Lewis Hamilton finished second after a recovery driver from eighth after he went off.
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