Perez explains why he 'just went for it' | Pundits' verdict on Leclerc crash

Sergio Perez: Red Bull driver 'just went for it' after Mexico City GP start overtake on Charles Leclerc ends in crash "I would be really disappointed to be on the podium today knowing I had a chance to go for the lead and I didn't take it," insists Perez despite his home race ending after a dramatic first-corner tangle with Charles Leclerc; Ferrari's Leclerc was booed by Mexican crowd after the race Last Updated: 30/10/23 6:20am Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player A dramatic opening lap of the Mexico City GP sees Charles Leclerc collide with Sergio Perez, with the Mexican having to retire A dramatic opening lap of the Mexico City GP sees Charles Leclerc collide with Sergio Perez, with the Mexican having to retire Sergio Perez insisted he had "just wanted to give it all" and so "totally went for it" when sensing a chance to seize the lead of his home Mexico City GP, after he made a dramatic exit from the race in a first-corner collision with Charles Leclerc. Ferrari's Leclerc, meanwhile, directly addressed the boos he received from the Perez-supporting crowd as he was interviewed after the race on the track by saying he "had nowhere to go" in the incident.In a rapid getaway from fifth on the grid on the long run down to the circuit's first corner, Perez placed himself on the outside of pole-sitter Leclerc, who had Verstappen attacking for the lead on his inside, but as he turned into the right-hander, tagged the Ferrari's front-left wheel. The impact sent Perez's car briefly up onto three wheels and flying off the circuit. Although he was able to drive back to the pit lane, the damage sustained was such that Red Bull had to immediately retire his car.Perez appeared crestfallen in the cockpit as Red Bull wheeled his car back into the garage but, speaking to Sky Sports F1 a short while later, the Mexican struck a defiant tone when discussing why he felt he was right to launch a challenge for the lead.He said he would have regretted not trying the bold around-the-outside move at his home race and was "proud" of how he had driven this weekend, even if he was "sad" about how it had ultimately ended. He also said that although he had expected Leclerc to brake earlier he felt the accident was a "racing incident"."I had a tremendous start. The gap was there and if I'm fully honest, since I was starting the race, I would be really disappointed to be on the podium today knowing I had a chance to go for the lead and I didn't take it," Perez said. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Sergio Perez reflects on a heartbreaking day for him in Mexico as he suffered a first-lap DNF in his home race Sergio Perez reflects on a heartbreaking day for him in Mexico as he suffered a first-lap DNF in his home race "I just went for it. To be honest, I didn't expect Charles - he was in the middle, he had less room to manoeuvre - to brake as late as Max and I did."I think simply there was no room for three cars. It was a total racing incident and with hindsight…I shouldn't say that…but in hindsight, I should back off and go home. Especially at your home Grand Prix and two times in a row on the podium. I just wanted to give it all and totally went for it."Perez, who has never won his home race in eight attempts and has found himself coming under increasing pressure and scrutiny over his performances in recent months next to Verstappen, insisted: "I'm very sad with the end result because on the first lap, to end the race at your home Grand Prix it's definitely really sad."On the other side, I am extremely proud of myself because I gave it all. I'm very proud of my team. We gave it all for the whole weekend and probably the best start of the year, so we just went for it." Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Christian Horner reflects on an eventful Mexico City GP, with Sergio Perez crashing out on the opening lap, Max Verstappen claiming a 16th win of the season and Daniel Ricciardo picking up P7 Christian Horner reflects on an eventful Mexico City GP, with Sergio Perez crashing out on the opening lap, Max Verstappen claiming a 16th win of the season and Daniel Ricciardo picking up P7 Horner defends Perez: 'You can't blame him' for trying for leadRed Bull have continued to back Perez, who has a contract at the team until the end of next season, amid a run of form which has not only seen him drop a long way away from runway champion Verstappen in the points standings but fall into the clutches of Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton in a battle for second place.By finishing runner-up to Verstappen in Sunday's race, Hamilton is now just 20 points behind Perez with three Grands Prix and one Sprint to come over the season's final four weeks. Indeed, had the Briton not been disqualified from the runner-up finish in Austin last week on technical ground