Perez Sparks Fury from Ferrari's Leclerc: "Is He Still Driving for Red Bull?"

Charles Leclerc vented his frustration at Sergio Perez in the closing stages of the Singapore Grand Prix. The Ferrari star sarcastically questioned over team radio whether the Cadillac driver was still racing for Red Bull after losing crucial time behind him during his pursuit of Max Verstappen for the race win.

In the final laps around the Marina Bay circuit, Leclerc was pushing hard to reel in the leading Verstappen. However, the Monegasque's charge hit a significant obstacle on Lap 57 when he caught Perez in the second sector.

Despite five blue flags being waved, the Mexican only yielded the racing line after the final warning. The delay cost the Scuderia driver approximately six-tenths of a second to Verstappen.

Although the Dutchman held a commanding lead with few laps remaining, Leclerc was visibly annoyed by the hold-up and made a biting radio remark nodding to his rival's past:

Ferrari's Singapore Strategy Under Scrutiny

Leclerc's late push took place in a race where Ferrari's strategic calls regarding Lewis Hamilton also sparked widespread debate.

The Italian outfit had planned a double-stack pit stop during the Lap 39 Virtual Safety Car, triggered by Lance Stroll's retirement. Leclerc followed instructions and boxed for fresh soft tyres, while Hamilton missed the pit entry and chose to stay out.

That choice proved costly for the seven-time world champion, who had to nurse a single set of soft tyres for 44 laps after pitting on Lap 19. The Briton's pace dropped dramatically toward the end, allowing Leclerc, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri to sweep past.

Speaking after the race, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur defended the squad's choices to the media. The Frenchman stressed that the pit instruction had been communicated clearly to Hamilton, who subsequently took responsibility for the misstep.

Vasseur explained that the team wanted to bring the Briton in due to tyre degradation concerns ahead of the chequered flag. While staying out backfired, the Scuderia boss highlighted the importance of driver feedback during strategic calls, as drivers have the best real-time feel for car handling and tyre life.