You could argue dropping back would have been worth a risk given Max had little to gain in terms of meaningful points but you can only hold up cars so much with DRS. LeClerc might have passed him and caused more drama.
Given LeClercs disastrous season, I don't you can put the blame on Max that Perez lost.
There was a point after the pit stops where they both were on the track at the same time. All he had to do was let Perez past and both of them could sail off into the sunset.
I'm pleased, though, that LeClerc did get second. Really enjoyed the Hamilton/Perez battle too. I'm sure Hamilton was thinking, "Remember last year?!"