Lap 11, Verstappen makes a move at T3 to prepare an attack on Leclerc.
Using a cross-line maneuver, Verstappen even managed to go wheel-to-wheel with Leclerc on the short straight between T3 and T4, with his car's nose slightly ahead.
At that moment, all the staff in the Ferrari team's pit box instinctively tensed up.
Fortunately, Leclerc firmly held the inside line, using the advantage of being on the inside at T4 to secure his line, preventing Verstappen from overtaking him.
Leclerc even slightly squeezed Verstappen for space as they exited the corner.
Either you get pushed out of bounds, or you slow down and brake.
Verstappen chose the latter.
Being pushed out of bounds, the curbs could potentially damage the car's underbody.
Damage to the underbody would cause speed loss, which can't be made up with the mere fraction of a second lost by braking.
This braking from Verstappen inevitably disrupted his rhythm, and he lost significant speed exiting the corner.