Leclerc prepared for "tight" Verstappen challenge
Leclerc prepared for "tight" Verstappen challenge
Charles Leclerc is expecting a "tight challenge" from Red Bull in the Miami Grand Prix after stealing pole position from Max Verstappen at the death of qualifying.
The Monégasque's time of one minute 28.769s was two-tenths quicker than team-mate Carlos Sainz, who jumped Verstappen after the reigning champion erred on his final lap at the sweeping turns four-five-six section.
Leclerc's performance exorcises any lingering demons from the Imola spin that cost him a podium in front of the adoring Tifosi.
Crediting the crowd at the Miami International Autodrome, the Ferrari driver said: "The fans are crazy.
"It is incredible to be here in the US and to see the sport has grown over the last few years, seeing so many people in the grandstands, it definitely motivates us.
"There are also a lot of Ferrari fans, it is amazing."
Referring to Imola, Leclerc added: "The last weekend wasn't great for me, I did a mistake in the race but today went well.
"We are starting on pole and we need to finish the job tomorrow.
"But they [Red Bull] are extremely quick in the straight lines, we are quick in the corners. It will be a tight challenge tomorrow and hopefully, we will come back on top."
Sainz "kept it cool" to overcome latest crash
Sainz's second position on the grid was a superb rebound from a series of mistakes from the Spaniard, with the latest an accident at turns 13 and 14 in second practice in Miami.
"Building from a pretty heavy crash yesterday, [it] wasn't easy at all to get the confidence back at such a difficult circuit like this new one in Miami," explained Sainz.
"But I kept it cool until Q3. I think I pulled out a couple of good laps, not quite enough for pole position but given from where I was coming from yesterday, I will take it."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Horner reveals how Red Bull got 'lucky' despite strong China showing
- 1 minute ago
Alonso and Taylor Swift rumours reignited by new album lyric
- 46 minutes ago
F1 team lodge FIA PROTEST over Chinese Grand Prix qualifying result
- 1 hour ago
FIA confirm penalty verdict after official PROTEST
- 1 hour ago
F1 star apologises after China Sprint CLASH
- 2 hours ago
Alonso reveals MISTAKE cost him in shock Red Bull battle - Top three verdict
- 3 hours ago
Related news
Miami GP organiser opens up on MAJOR plans to reinvent race
Tennis legend Federer addresses INFAMOUS Jackie Stewart moment at Miami GP
F1 in the US dealt HUGE blow by one Miami GP stat
Miami Grand Prix wasn't boring but F1 is... and there is a KEY reason why
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860