Charles Leclerc fears gearbox penalty after "big surprise" of Monaco pole

Charles Leclerc in actie in Monaco. — Photo: © LAT Images

Monaco Grand Prix

Leclerc fears gearbox penalty after "big surprise" of Monaco pole

Leclerc crashed after setting the fastest time in Monaco qualifying

Sam Hall

Saturday 22 May 2021 16:21 Updated: 16:34

Charles Leclerc fears his pole position will be stripped away by a penalty if the gearbox in his Ferrari has sustained damage following his qualifying crash in Monaco.

After setting the fastest time on his first run of Q3, Leclerc ended the session in a barrier after hitting a guardrail on the exit of the swimming pool complex.

Asked whether he was worried the repair work on his Ferrari could include a five-place gearbox change, Leclerc responded simply, "I am, but let's see."

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He added: "It's a shame to finish in the wall. It doesn't feel the same but at the same time, I'm incredibly happy about my first timed lap.

"The first corner was quite tricky. I didn't do a great first corner but then the second and third sector I nailed it and I'm just very, very happy to be on pole obviously.

"It was very, very difficult to manage myself mentally after Q2. I could feel I was very emotional in the car but I told myself 'Now it is Q3. Now it is time to put it all together' and I managed to do so.

"So I am incredibly happy but it is tomorrow that we score points but I have to say that it is a big surprise for everyone to be on pole and in fourth place [Carlos Sainz] for the race tomorrow."

In his two previous attempts, Leclerc has failed to finish the Monaco GP and when questioned on his potential to take an unexpected victory on Sunday, he reflected: "I've always been very unlucky here so let's wait and see."

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