Palmer says Leclerc needed to risk more against Verstappen in Singapore

Jolyon Palmer believes Charles Leclerc passed up a chance to put Max Verstappen under pressure at the Singapore Grand Prix start, arguing that the Ferrari driver needed to accept more risk rather than brake early.

Verstappen had criticised the RB22's starts before the race. Even so, he squeezed Leclerc on the approach to Turn 1 and kept the lead. Leclerc slotted in behind, and Verstappen went on to win, largely untroubled in the second half.

Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast after the race, Palmer said Leclerc was already well alongside on the inside and should have matched Verstappen's braking point. He argued that the possibility of both drivers ending up in the run-off was a risk worth taking.

Former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe pushed back. He said it was easy to make that argument from the outside, but Leclerc had faced a very difficult situation which Verstappen handled perfectly.

Palmer agreed that Verstappen had judged the start well and called him one of the hardest drivers to pass. He also acknowledged Leclerc's awkward position: being squeezed towards the pit wall put him on the dirty part of the track.

Palmer maintained, however, that rivals cannot afford to give Verstappen room. He said the Dutchman repeatedly leaves some space when on the outside before committing to the corner. If that fails, Palmer said, Verstappen uses the run-off, probably rejoins ahead and then claims he was pushed off. "You have to know who you are racing," he said.

As an example of the response he wanted, Palmer pointed to Oscar Piastri at the start of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. He said Piastri stayed committed on the inside and turned in, forcing Verstappen wide while remaining on track himself. Verstappen cut the corner, rejoined ahead of Piastri and received a time penalty, Palmer said.