Source – formula1.com
After qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc was ecstatic. He had gone through with a strong run to start second on the grid, but Max Verstappen’s engine penalty moved him up to pole.
Charles Leclerc seized a surprising pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix after a rain-soaked qualifying session at Spa-Francorchamps. The Monegasque driver clocked a time of 1m 53.754s, positioning himself just behind the dominant Max Verstappen. However, Verstappen’s 10-place grid penalty promoted Leclerc to the front of the grid for Sunday’s race.
Reflecting on the unexpected result, Leclerc expressed his astonishment and satisfaction. “It’s good. I mean, I definitely did not expect that this weekend. With the tricky conditions, we managed to perform above our expectations – it’s a good day for the team. Now we need to focus on tomorrow and see what will happen once the rain is gone,” he said.
Leclerc acknowledged that the rain played a significant role in his performance, admitting that without it, a fifth-place starting position was more likely. “I think without this rain, probably P5 was the position we were fighting for with the Mercedes especially. The rain helped us a little bit, but I’m not going to complain. I’m really happy with the lap in Q3 and it’s good to be back on the front part of the grid. Now we’ve got to finalize that tomorrow.”
Starting from pole at Spa presents its unique challenges, particularly the difficulty of maintaining the lead through the first lap. Leclerc is aware of the potential for overtakes along the Kemmel Straight. “It’s not the easiest first place to keep on the first lap here, but honestly, I will see. Every start is different and once I’m in the car tomorrow through Eau Rouge, I’ll decide what’s the best thing I can do. Obviously, I’ll try to keep that first place.”
On the other side of the Ferrari garage, Carlos Sainz endured a less favorable Q3, ending up eighth, which became seventh after Verstappen’s penalty. Sainz described his session as straightforward until the final set of tires in Q3, which proved problematic. “I was quite happy with the car in Q1 and Q2, and even in Q3, I felt like I was driving well in the wet and putting together some strong laps. Just the last set of tires in Q3 was a bit of a disaster for me. I didn’t find the grip that I had all session and I was really struggling with the tires, with the warm-up, and I had absolutely zero grip. It’s something to look into, to analyze, and see what we could have done better. But it’s time to quickly switch the page because tomorrow is a new day and it’s race day.”
With dry conditions expected for the race, Sainz remains optimistic about moving up the field. “I think we have a chance to be in a position to move forward through the field. At the same time, there are cars with very similar pace in front of me, or some of them even quicker than us. It will be difficult to move forward, but we’ll give it our best chance with strategy and managing the race.”
As the Ferrari drivers prepare for what promises to be an exciting race, the focus is on maintaining positions and capitalizing on any opportunities that arise. Leclerc’s pole position is a significant boost for Ferrari, and with Sainz aiming to climb through the field, the team is poised for a strong showing at Spa-Francorchamps. The unpredictable weather at Spa always adds an extra layer of excitement, and with Verstappen starting further back, the stage is set for a thrilling Belgian Grand Prix.
