Ferrari 'worried' about losing shock Charles Leclerc pole

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

Monaco Grand Prix

Ferrari 'worried' about losing shock Leclerc pole

Team will be penalised if it has to change damaged gearbox

Will Gray

Saturday 22 May 2021 17:22

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has revealed the team is “worried” that the damage sustained in Charles Leclerc’s qualifying crash could cost him his pole position for Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix.

Leclerc set the fastest time in the final qualifying session but then crashed into the barriers at the exit of the swimming pool complex in the closing stages, preventing his rivals from setting any faster laps but potentially damaging his gearbox.

The team is currently evaluating whether it will need to be changed, which would result in the Monegasque driver Leclerc being penalised and dropping down the grid for his home race.

Article continues under video

“We are worried," Binotto told Sky Sports F1. “We are checking it, it’s too early to know. Let’s leave the mechanics and engineers to check it and see in the next hours.

“I think being on pole was not expected, to be so far ahead was not expected, but after Thursday we were happy with the car’s performance and driver confidence. Very happy.

“If you consider the performance of last year it is a huge step forward. It is a very specific track but still, you need certain downforce low speed and that is what we have got. That is not easy to develop in the car.

“Overall, [I am] more happy for the car performance rather than the pole. The pole is important, now let's see the gearbox and the race tomorrow.”

If Leclerc’s car does not need a replacement gearbox, it will be Ferrari’s first pole position start since Mexico 2019, and it could have been a front-row lock-out if Leclerc’s crash had not stopped his team-mate Carlos Sainz from also setting a final time.

However, despite Ferrari’s pace, Binotto still believes the win is far from in the bag, with Max Verstappen’s Red Bull and Valtteri Bottas’ Mercedes sitting right behind Leclerc at the front of the field.

“I think it will be very difficult,” he added. “We are in a good position, but the pit stop will be key. Max is very fast, I am pretty sure he will give us a hard time, but not only him, all the guys behind.

“It’s good to see Carlos be so fast and getting more and more confident with the car. He knows he could have done better today and you can see that he is disappointed, but that’s good.”